Apple announced its upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 software on June 10 during its keynote address at WWDC24. The updates are packed with new features like Apple Intelligence and big changes for Home Screen, Control Center, Messages, Siri, Mail, and much more. To try these new features before everyone else, you must install the beta on your iPhone or iPad.
The iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Public Betas are available now for developers and will be available for public beta testers in July. No specific date is set for the Apple Beta Software Program for public beta testers. The first public versions of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 became available 37 days after the first developer build. Based on that, we could see the public builds during the week of July 15.
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iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 Release History
- June 10: 18.0 Developer Beta 1 (build 22A5282m)
Backing Up Before You Continue
Beta software isn't perfect, so it's always a good idea to back up your iOS or iPadOS software before installing a beta build. That way, you can downgrade to a public build if needed. Backups on iCloud are encrypted and can be up to 12 TB (or 14 TB with Apple One Premier). Backups on a computer aren't encrypted by default and are only limited by the remaining space on your local drive.
To create a backup on iCloud, connect your iPhone or iPad to Wi-Fi, go to Settings » [Name] » iCloud » iCloud Backup » Back Up Now. If you choose to back up with your Mac, you should archive the backup so that future beta backups won't overwrite it. To back up with your Mac:
- Connect your iPhone or iPad and Mac with a compatible cable.
- Trust your computer if asked.
- Select your iPhone or iPad from Finder's sidebar on your Mac.
- Choose the "General" tab if not already open.
- Check "Back up all of the data on your iPhone [or iPad] to this Mac" in the Backups section.
- Check "Encrypt local backup" to protect it with a password. (This is optional.)
- Click "Back Up Now."
- Click "Manage Backups" after Finder finishes backing up your iPhone or iPad.
- Right-click or Control-click on the backup you want to archive.
- Choose "Archive" from the contextual menu.
- A date should appear in the backup's name, indicating it is now protected from overwriting.
Both options will omit:
- Apple Mail data.
- Face ID or Touch ID settings.
- Data already synced and stored in iCloud, such as Contacts, Calendars, Notes, iCloud Music Library, iCloud Photos, iMessages, and text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages.
- Apple Pay information and settings.
- Content from iTunes and App Store.
A backup on your Mac will also omit content synced from your computer, such as imported MP3s or CDs, videos, books, and photos. To back up Activity, Health, and Keychain data on your Mac, you'll need to select the encrypted backup option.
Installing iOS 18 / iPadOS Public Beta Software
The iOS 18 Public Beta and iPadOS 18 Public Beta will be available sometime in July, and instructions will be available then.
Installing iOS 18 / iPadOS Developer Beta Software
These instructions assume you are already a registered developer in the Apple Developer Program running iOS 16.4 or later or iPadOS 16.4 or later on the target iPhone or iPad.
- Go to Settings » General » Software Update » Beta Updates.
- Ensure the Apple ID listed at the bottom is the one assigned to your Apple Developer Program subscription. If not, tap it, select "Use a different Apple ID," and sign in with the correct email address and password. Switching Apple IDs here will not affect any Apple IDs used for other apps and services on the device — it only affects software updates, so you can install betas on other devices you own that don't use your Apple Developer Program Apple ID as the device's primary Apple ID.
- With the correct Apple ID, check the iOS 18 Developer Beta or iPadOS 18 Developer Beta option.
- Hit "Back" to return to Software Update to see if the iOS 18 Developer Beta or iPadOS 18 Developer Beta is ready to install.
- Install the iOS or iPadOS 18 Beta like any other software update when it becomes available.
After installing the beta, you can provide feedback to Apple about any software or developer-related issues you experience, which will help get the iOS and iPadOS 18 stable updates as bug-free as possible. You can give feedback via the Feedback Assistant app on your iPhone or iPad. The app is usually hidden on stable iOS and iPadOS software but visible on betas. If you want to attach a sysdiagnose report with your feedback, to help Apple determine what led up to the issue, use the volume buttons shortcut.
Compatible iPhone and iPad Models
The iOS 18 Beta is available on the following iPhone models, which are the same as those that work with iOS 17. So, if your iPhone runs iOS 17, it can run iOS 18. The same cannot be said for iPads and iPadOS 18. The iPadOS 18 Beta supports iPads that work with iPadOS 17 except for the iPad (6th generation), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation), and iPad Pro 10.5-inch.
iPhone Models
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
iPad Models
- iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
- iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
- iPad mini (6th generation)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad (10th generation)
- iPad (9th generation)
- iPad (8th generation)
- iPad (7th generation)
- iPad Pro 13-inch (M4)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new features for Podcasts, News, Books, and TV, as well as important security improvements and fresh wallpapers. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.5 update.
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