If you can’t wait to try out Apple’s next iPhone update, the good news is you don’t have to.
Apple’s iOS 18 public beta goes live today, giving eager tech fans the chance to try out the massive update before it’s available to everyone.
iPhone users will get access to almost all of the new features, such as home screen personalization and a revamped Pictures app.
However, Apple Intelligence, the biggest update unveiled at WWDC this year, won’t be available until this fall.
Want to be the first to see what the future holds for Apple software? Follow these simple steps.
The public beta of iOS 18 is now available, so you can try out Apple’s new update before it’s available to everyone
How to Install iOS 18 Public Beta
‘Beta’ is the term for a piece of software that is nearly finished, but not yet ready for a full public release.
Apple, like many other software developers, releases beta versions of its applications so that the public can test them to find any bugs or issues before the full version is released.
In order to use the software before it is released to the public, you must first ensure that your phone is compatible and updated to the correct software version.
Phones from the second generation iPhone SE onwards should all work, provided you’re updated to at least iOS 16.4.
To check your current software version, go to Settings, General and look under the About section.
iOS 18 (pictured) won’t be fully released until later this year, but users can try out an early version of the software through Apple’s beta program
To install the update, go to the System Updates page under Settings and select Beta Updates. From there you should be able to select iOS 18 Beta
If your phone is compatible and up to date, the next step is to enroll in Apple’s beta program. you can find it via this link.
If you create an account for the beta program, you can download advanced versions of the company’s software directly to your phone.
Make sure you sign in with the same Apple ID you use on the device you want to install the beta on.
After you have signed up, you can click on the link for the version of the software you want to download, which will give you more information.
Now that you’re ready to install the beta, grab the device you want to use and navigate to Settings, General, and then select Software Updates.
If you previously used a beta version of the software, you will immediately see the option for iOS 18.
If not, look for the ‘Beta Update’ option on the Software Updates page and click on it to open the list of available updates.
Then choose iOS 18 Public Beta and select Update Now or Update Tonight depending on your preference.
By downloading the beta, Apple users can try out many of the new features, such as the Tap to Cash update for Apple Wallet (pictured)
If you don’t see the beta option right away, make sure you’re signed in with the same Apple ID you used to sign up for the beta program.
When downloading beta software, please be aware that you are installing software that is not yet fully completed.
This means that you are likely to encounter bugs, glitches, and excessive battery consumption.
In rare cases, Apple’s beta versions can break components on users’ phones or even render the phones unusable.
So think carefully before installing the public beta on your primary or work device.
While Apple Intelligence isn’t included in the beta, users will still have access to most of the new features, including home screen personalization.
What features are available in iOS 18 public beta?
After installing the beta, iPhone users should have access to nearly all of the features coming in the final iOS 18 update.
The one exception is the lack of AI features in Apple Intelligence, which is expected to go into beta sometime this fall.
However, iPhone users in the EU will have to wait even longer to try out the AI features, as Apple has said it will not release Apple Intelligence in Europe until regulatory issues are resolved.
Even without Apple Intelligence, the update still packs more than enough features to keep even the biggest tech fanatic entertained.
In iOS 18, iPhone users can freely rearrange, reorganize, and recolor their app icons. Apps can even be hidden in a separate, locked ‘Hidden’ folder (right)
iOS 18 brings major improvements in particular when it comes to the customizability of your device.
iPhone users can change the layout and size of the icons on the home screen or add a color tint.
These customization options also include the ability to hide and lock apps, which led to iOS 18 being labeled a “cheater’s paradise” on social media.
Users can choose to place apps in a ‘Hidden’ folder on the home screen, accessible only via Face ID.
The Control Center (pictured) has had a major overhaul with new options to customize icons and add new controls
Both the lock screen and the control panel have been significantly revamped in terms of customization options.
Users can now choose which icons and controls are visible on the lock screen, and even add shortcuts for third-party apps.
Just like on the Home screen, you can rearrange and resize the icons in Control Center into any pattern you like, and add options to add new, custom controls.
The beta also includes some long-awaited changes to the Messages app.
Apple has introduced new effects for text messages and new ways to respond in chats via the ‘Tapback’ feature.
Apple has released updates to the Messages (left) and Photos (right) apps that users can try out in the iOS 18 Beta
The coolest part is that Apple users can now schedule text messages to send at a later time.
To do this, simply press the plus sign next to the text field and select Send Later instead of clicking Send.
The Photos app is also getting some big changes, including a revamped carousel that lets users choose which galleries they want quick access to.
Apple has also added a new menu that makes it easier to search through your images.
In addition to iOS 18, Apple has also released beta versions of iPadOS 18, Mac OS Sequoia, and Watch OS 11, all of which are available to try out through the beta program.