Apple has recently announced the release of the iOS 18 developer beta, which brings a plethora of new features and improvements to the iPhone ecosystem. If you are part of the Apple Developer program, you can download the beta version of iOS 18 right now. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Eligible Devices
Before you begin, ensure that your iPhone is compatible with the iOS 18 developer beta. The following models are supported:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later).
Pre-Requisites
Before downloading the iOS 18 developer beta, make sure you have the following:
- An iPhone running iOS 16.4 or later
- An Apple ID used in the Apple Developer program
- A compatible iPhone model (listed above)
- A backup of your device and personal information.
Downloading the iOS 18 Developer Beta
To download the iOS 18 developer beta, follow these steps:
- Enroll in the Apple Developer Program:
- Go to the Apple Developer website and sign in with your Apple ID.
- If you are not already a member, you can sign up for the free tier of the Apple Developer program.
- Download the Apple Developer App:
- Open the App Store on your iPhone and download the Apple Developer app.
- If you are not already a member, you can sign up for the program within the app.
- Install the iOS 18 Developer Beta:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap on the Beta Updates option and select iOS 18 Developer Beta.
- Wait for the download to appear, then agree to the terms and initiate the download process.
- The installation will begin subsequent to the download process.
New Features in iOS 18
The iOS 18 developer beta brings several exciting new features, including:
- Customizable Home Screen: Apps and widgets can now be relocated, and the home screen supports customizable colors and new app icons in dark mode.
- Control Center: Introduces a new group of controls accessible with a swipe-up gesture, showing connected home devices and allowing for quick control customization. Controls are also accessible from the lock screen, and the Action Button can invoke these controls.
- App Lock: Independent app locking, with hidden apps placed in a secure folder.
- Messages: Includes RCS messaging support, emoji and sticker tapbacks, scheduled messages, text formatting, integrated text effects, and satellite messaging for iPhone 14 and later models.
- Photos: A comprehensive redesign simplifies accessing memories and organizing photos, with built-in intelligence for creating collections.
- Game Mode: Mac’s game mode is coming to the iPhone.
- Mail: On-device categorization of emails into primary, transactions, updates, and promotions (coming later this year).
- Apple Intelligence: Enhances app functionality with AI updates.
Things to Keep in Mind
Before downloading the iOS 18 developer beta, consider the following:
- Bugs and Instability: The developer beta is used by developers to test their apps on the upcoming operating system and report bugs. This means you might face unexpected crashing on the phone or issues with some apps.
- Performance Impact: The developer beta can affect the performance of your iPhone, causing it to become laggy or drain the battery faster.
- Backup: Make sure to back up your device and personal information before installing the beta.