Do you want to help Apple with iOS 16 development? But you are not a registered developer? No problem - we will show you how you can participate in Apple's beta software program and get back to normal operations - we will also look at the risks of a beta version. Please be sure to read the full article beforehand.
Apple naturally keeps the development of new hardware secret - but when it comes to software, iOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS updates must be tested as widely as possible. This is the only way to eliminate possible errors before the final iOS, watchOS, tvOS or macOS version is released. This is where the Apple Beta Software Program comes into play. It allows any user with an Apple ID to test software in beta stage and provide feedback free of charge. The Apple Beta Software Program offers anyone interested free access to the beta versions of iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS and macOS. During a WWDC (Worldwide Developer Conference), Apple presents the new operating systems (i.e. iOS, watchOS, tvOS and macOS) to the world public.
iOS 16: What are the risks of using an iOS beta?
Registered developers automatically receive Apple software updates in beta if they are members of the Apple Developer Program. Everyone else usually has to wait until the official release date. If you don't want to wait, however, you can test new functions yourself in advance thanks to the Apple Beta Software Program. It should be said that a beta should always be treated with caution - Apple also always recommends installing a beta profile on a second device. If you use your iPhone or iPad for both private and business purposes, using a beta version would not be particularly advisable. Popular banking apps, for example, are often only compatible with final iOS versions - if you have a second device or can do without a few apps, you can of course download an iOS beta without hesitation.
iOS 16: How to become an Apple beta tester
To get started, you must first join the Apple Beta Software Program register and accept the terms and conditions. You'll need a working Apple ID to sign in. If you've already downloaded a movie or app from the iTunes or App Store, or set up an iPhone or iPad, you should have an Apple ID. The next important step is to make sure you've fully backed up your chosen iPhone or iPad. There are two ways to do this: an iCloud or iTunes backup. Learn how to back up your iPhone or iPad. After you have signed up for the Apple Beta Software Program and created a backup of your iPhone or iPad, follow the next steps - now you have to download the configuration profile to your iPhone or iPad according to the instructions. To do this, follow the link provided by Apple under point 2.
How to install the latest iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta version on your iPhone or iPad
Now the message “This website is trying to load a configuration profile. Is this allowed?” appears – here you have to allow the process. Then go to the settings of your iPhone or iPad and open the “General” section and navigate to the menu item “Profile”. The loaded beta profile is now displayed. Now you have to click on the profile and install it. As soon as your iPhone has restarted, you can update your iPhone or iPad to the latest software as usual under “Settings” – in this case the latest iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta version. After you have installed the beta software, you can use the integrated Feedback Assistant app to report errors and provide general feedback – an important task. All of your reports are sent to Apple and analyzed – they help to complete the operating system.
Rules for using an iOS beta
By the way, when a new iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta version is released, you can update it as usual under “Settings” – “General” – “Software Update”. Apple warns that the public beta software “may contain errors or inaccuracies and may not work as well as regularly released software”. The note also mentions that the public beta software contains confidential information despite its high availability. This is what Apple says in its support document:
Is Public Beta Software confidential? Yes, Public Beta Software is Apple's confidential information. Therefore, you should not install Public Beta Software on a system that you do not control or share with others. You should not post information or screenshots of Apple's Public Beta Software in blogs, tweets, or elsewhere, and you should not talk about or demonstrate Apple's Public Beta Software to anyone not involved in the Apple Beta Software program. Once Apple has released technical information about the Public Beta Software, it is no longer classified as confidential.
So the most important rule is not to talk about the public beta program – a point that not many users stick to.
How to remove the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta profile from your iPhone or iPad
Of course, you can unsubscribe your iPhone or iPad from the Apple Beta Software Program at any time and return to using the finished iOS version. To do this, go to the settings of your iPhone or iPad, under "General" open the "Profile" section and click on the beta profile. You can now delete the iOS 16 beta profile from your device. You may have to enter your device password to confirm and complete the process. Once the profile is deleted, your iPhone or iPad will no longer receive public iOS beta versions. When the next finished version of iOS is released, you can download it as usual via the device settings.
How to revert to a public iOS version
Of course, you don't have to wait for a new public iOS version. You can of course also go back to the latest iOS software beforehand. To do this, you have to put your iPhone or iPad into recovery mode and this is how it works:
- On iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the Volume Up button. Press and release the Volume Down button. Then press and hold the Side button until the Recovery Mode screen appears.
Now the iPhone or iPad must be connected to the Mac using a suitable cable. Since the device in question is in maintenance mode, the "Restore" option must now be clicked. This will delete the iOS beta from your device and install the regular version of iOS (not beta). Wait until the restore is complete. As soon as you are asked to enter your Apple ID and password, the activation lock will be deactivated. After the restore is complete, you can set up your device from the previously archived backup or completely from scratch. This backup should be from an older iOS version - if it is a backup with an iOS beta version, it cannot be restored. (Photo by yalcin.sonat / Bigstockphoto)
