The Public Beta Version of iOS 18 is Now Available. Here's How to Download It
Apple introduced iOS 18 in early June, and since then, it had only been available to people with developer accounts. However, now the public beta version is finally ready, meaning anyone can try the new features, and here’s how to get it.
How to Install the iOS 18 Public Beta
To get the public version of this iOS, a series of steps must be followed. The first is to have a compatible device and then ensure you have at least iOS version 16.4. You can verify this in the Settings > General > About menu.
Once you have met these two requirements, you must be enrolled in the Apple beta program. To access this, you need to register at this link and use the same Apple ID on the device where the beta version will be installed.
Next, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If this is your first time doing this, you need to press the 'Beta Updates' option, and iOS 18 will appear there, allowing you to start the installation immediately or overnight.
These are the Devices Where iOS 18 Will Be Available
The public beta version of iOS 18 will be available on all (Pro Max, Pro, Plus, and Mini) devices of the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone X, and iPhone SE (second generation or later) families.
New Features of iOS 18
This year, the iPhone will receive an update focused on home screen customization, allowing users to arrange apps as they like to see the background image or even select a color for the apps to better match the background.
The Control Center, the menu that appears when you swipe down, will provide more options to activate different tools, such as music or shortcuts. Additionally, this element will be easier to edit, allowing users to add their preferred tools and even modify their size, similar to widgets.
On the lock screen, you will be able to modify the apps that open from there. This is a significant change, as previously, the options were limited to the Camera and Flashlight. In terms of privacy, the company announced that it will be possible to lock specific apps and even hide an app that you wouldn't want others to know you have on your device.
Photos will also have a complete interface redesign to make it easier to find content and memories. It will even have better capabilities to identify people in images and generate short videos with the content on the user's device.
Risks of Installing the iOS 18 Public Beta
It is important to keep in mind that when testing a beta version, you will not have access to all the promised features at the same time, as many of them will appear when they are ready for testing.
Additionally, having access to this software also means the possibility of encountering functionality issues with the device, such as stability problems or excessive battery drain, and even phone lockups. Therefore, it is recommended to back up your data before downloading the update.