Essential Points
- visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 released February 23, 2026, for enrolled Apple developers only
- HLS video podcast support, introduced in Beta 1, enables adaptive streaming and dynamic ad insertion on Vision Pro
- Beta 2 focuses on bug fixes; Apple has not published official release notes for this build
- Developers can install Beta 2 now via Settings, General, Software Update on Apple Vision Pro
Apple seeded visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 on February 23, 2026, continuing a minor update cycle that targets infrastructure improvements over new consumer features. The update follows Beta 1, which seeded February 16, 2026, and introduced the two headline changes for this release cycle: HLS video podcast support and backend streaming refinements. Beta 2 builds on that base with bug fixes uncovered during initial testing.
What visionOS 26.4 Beta 1 Introduced
Both confirmed features in this update cycle arrived with Beta 1, not Beta 2. The first is backend support for the HLS video podcast format, which enables adaptive bitrate streaming on Apple Vision Pro. Adaptive streaming adjusts video quality dynamically based on available network speed, reducing buffering during content playback inside spatial environments.
The second addition is dynamic ad insertion support within that HLS podcast framework. This gives podcast publishers and app developers a native pathway to deliver monetized video podcast content on Vision Pro. Developers must update their apps to expose these capabilities to end users.
What Beta 2 Actually Changes
Beta 2 in Apple’s point-update cycle typically addresses bugs surfaced during developer testing of Beta 1, and visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 follows that pattern precisely. Apple has not published official release notes for this build, consistent with its approach to minor-update betas.
No new user-facing features have been confirmed for Beta 2 as of February 23, 2026. Developers testing Beta 1 features should continue evaluating HLS podcast integration and report issues through the Apple Feedback Assistant.
The Beta 2 build number is 23O5220e, following Beta 1’s build number of 23O5209m.
Developer Access and Installation
Only developers enrolled in the Apple Developer Program can install visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 at this stage. To install:
- Open Settings on Apple Vision Pro
- Navigate to General, then Software Update
- Select Beta Updates
- Choose visionOS Developer Beta
- Download and install the available build
Public beta access typically follows the developer seed by a short interval, consistent with Apple’s established update cadence for the 26.x cycle.
visionOS 26.4 in the Broader 26.x Context
visionOS 26 launched in June 2025 with a substantial set of spatial computing capabilities. Spatial widgets now integrate directly into a user’s physical environment and persist each time they put on the headset. Personas received a significant upgrade using volumetric rendering and machine learning, delivering improved expressivity, accurate hair and complexion rendering, and full side-profile views.
The Photos app gained Spatial Scenes, which uses a generative AI algorithm to add depth to standard photos, letting users feel like they can lean in and look around within an image. Safari added spatial browsing, allowing users to read articles with distractions hidden and spatial scenes surfaced inline as they scroll.
visionOS 26 also added support for PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers, enabling 6-degrees-of-freedom motion tracking, finger touch detection, and vibration support for compatible games. Native playback of 180-degree, 360-degree, and wide field-of-view content from Insta360, GoPro, and Canon arrived with the same release.
Enterprise Capabilities Added in visionOS 26
Enterprise teams gained meaningful new tools in visionOS 26. The Protected Content API ensures only authorized users can view sensitive materials such as medical records or business forecasts, while preventing screenshots, copying, and screen sharing. Team device sharing lets organizations manage a shared pool of Vision Pro units more efficiently.
Users can now save eye and hand data, vision prescriptions, and accessibility settings to an iPhone running iOS 26, then carry those settings to any other Vision Pro device. Logitech Muse, a spatial accessory purpose-built for Apple Vision Pro, received API support enabling precise input for collaboration apps.
Apple Intelligence and Language Expansion
Apple Intelligence support on Vision Pro expanded significantly with visionOS 26. Supported languages now include French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish, plus English for users in Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, and the UK. This expansion brought Vision Pro’s AI features to a broader international user base, including India.
Image Playground support arrived on visionOS 26 for English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, US), French (Canada, France), German, Italian, Japanese, and Spanish (Mexico, Spain) with Apple Intelligence enabled.
Considerations
visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 is a developer-only release and should not be installed on a primary device. The HLS podcast and adaptive streaming features introduced in Beta 1 require third-party app developers to update their apps before end users see any direct benefit. Apple has not confirmed a public release date for visionOS 26.4.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is visionOS 26.4 Beta 2?
visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 is the second developer preview build of Apple’s upcoming minor operating system update for Apple Vision Pro, seeded February 23, 2026. It focuses on bug fixes following Beta 1 and carries the build number 23O5220e. Apple has not published official release notes.
What new features does visionOS 26.4 add?
The confirmed feature addition in visionOS 26.4 is HLS video podcast support, introduced in Beta 1. It enables adaptive streaming that adjusts video quality based on network speed, plus dynamic ad insertion. Beta 2 adds no confirmed new features and focuses solely on bug fixes.
When will visionOS 26.4 be publicly released?
Apple has not announced a public release date for visionOS 26.4. Public beta access typically follows the developer seed by a short interval. A full public release generally follows several weeks after the beta cycle concludes.
Who can install visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 right now?
Only developers enrolled in the Apple Developer Program can install Beta 2 at this stage. Installation is done through Settings, General, Software Update on Apple Vision Pro. Installing beta software on a primary device carries stability risks.
What did visionOS 26 introduce for Apple Vision Pro?
visionOS 26 added spatial widgets that anchor in a user’s environment, enhanced Personas using volumetric machine learning, generative AI-powered Spatial Scenes in Photos, PlayStation VR2 Sense controller support, 180/360-degree content playback, and expanded Apple Intelligence language support including English in India.
Does visionOS 26.4 Beta 2 include new enterprise features?
No new enterprise features have been confirmed for visionOS 26.4. Enterprise capabilities including the Protected Content API, team device sharing, and Logitech Muse support were all introduced in visionOS 26, not in the 26.4 update cycle.
Do HLS podcast changes in visionOS 26.4 benefit users immediately?
Not immediately. HLS video podcast support requires podcast app developers to update their apps to implement adaptive streaming and dynamic ad insertion. End users will benefit once app updates are released that take advantage of the new backend framework.
