Reflection Redux iOS 26's Secret Ringtone Revealed!

iOS 26 Beta Unearths a Hidden Ringtone: A Sneak Peek

The world of iOS is buzzing with anticipation as Apple refines its upcoming mobile operating system. But beyond the headline features, keen-eyed developers are uncovering intriguing secrets hidden within the code. The latest discovery? A brand-new ringtone nestled within the iOS 26 beta.

According to reports, this isn't just any ringtone; it's an alternative take on the beloved "Reflection" ringtone, which has serenaded iPhone users since the iPhone X debuted back in 2017.

The discovery was initially made within the developer beta of iOS 26. While it's currently concealed from the standard ringtone selection in the Settings app, its presence in the code suggests Apple is at least experimenting with a refresh.

The existence of the ringtone was first brought to light by the X account @8810cfw. Their post, quickly picked up by the well-known ShrimpApplePro, ignited a wave of speculation and excitement within the Apple community.

Adding further credibility to the leak, MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris independently confirmed the ringtone's existence. He even went so far as to speculate that this new sound might be reserved for the upcoming iPhone 17 models, slated for release later this year.

Here's what we know so far:

• The ringtone is a variation of the existing "Reflection" tone.
• It's currently hidden within the iOS 26 beta, not accessible through the Settings app.
• Its official name appears to be "ReflectionAlt1-EncoreRemix".
• Speculation suggests it could be exclusive to the iPhone 17.

You can hear the leaked ringtone in these tweets:

Important Note: As with any beta software, there's no guarantee that this ringtone will make its way to the final, public release of iOS 26. Apple could choose to keep it under wraps, tweak it further, or even scrap it altogether.

On a slightly different note, iOS 26 is also streamlining the process of setting custom ringtones. Users will soon be able to use any audio file as a ringtone without the need for the GarageBand app, a welcome change for those seeking greater personalization.

The official launch of iOS 26 is expected in September, so we don't have long to wait to see what other surprises Apple has in store.

The discovery of this hidden ringtone is a prime example of the excitement and anticipation that surrounds each new iOS release. Whether it makes its way to the final version or not, it serves as a reminder of Apple's constant innovation and attention to detail, even in the seemingly smallest aspects of the user experience. Will this new "Reflection" variation become the next iconic iPhone sound? Only time will tell. But for now, the anticipation is definitely building!

Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2025/06/19/ios-26-beta-hidden-new-ringtone/