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Apple releases public betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and more, so anyone can test upcoming features

2024 July 16
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The general public can now test-drive prerelease versions of Apple’s upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia operating systems, and more.

A screenshot of the Apple Beta Software Program website.

The following public betas are available: iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, watchOS 11 and HomePod Software 18.

These public releases use the same code and have the same features as the latest developer betas. Apple will be updating both beta branches throughout the summer.

Neither the developer betas nor the public ones include Apple Intelligence. Some Apple Intelligence features will be available when iOS 18 arrives this fall with a beta label. Others, like AI-powered Siri improvements, will arrive later in 2024 and 2025.

How to install the iOS 18 Public Beta

All you need to install the public betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia on your devices is an Apple ID account that you already use on your iPhone.
Launch Safari on your iPhone, iPad or Mac and visit beta.apple.com. You can sign up for the Apple Beta Software with your existing Apple ID account and password for free. Once signed in, you’ll be taken to the Guide for Public Betas.

Select the device and OS you want to install and read through the brief information so you’re prepared. You’ll need to enroll your device, which will turn on beta updates through the familiar Software Update mechanism.

We also have dedicated instructions for installing the tvOS 18 developer or public beta on your Apple TV. To install the watchOS 11 beta, you must first install the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone. To test the upcoming audio features, install beta firmware on your AirPods Pro and enroll your HomePod to receive beta updates.

Is the iOS 18 beta worth it?

The quality of Apple’s prerelease software has increased significantly in the past few years. I’ve been using developer betas of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia from day one on the devices I use daily, and have been fairly impressed.

Aside from poor battery life (power efficiency is among the last features to make the cut) and occasional app crashes, I haven’t had significant issues thus far.

Of course, your mileage may vary. As developed as they might be, these public betas come with the usual disclaimer for any prerelease software, so be sure to back up your iPhone, iPad or Mac before installing the beta, just in case.

Source link: https://www.idownloadblog.com/2024/07/16/apple-releases-public-beta-ios-18-ipados-18-macos-sequoia/

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