If you just can’t wait to try Apple’s next iPhone update, the good news is you don’t have to.
Apple’s iOS 18 Public Beta will be released today, giving eager tech fans a chance to try out the big update before it’s released to everyone.
iPhone users will be able to access almost all the new features like home screen customization and a revamped Pictures app.
However, Apple Intelligence, the biggest update revealed at WWDC this year, won’t be available until at least this fall.
So if you want to see what the future holds for Apple software before anyone else, here are the simple steps to follow.
iOS 18 Public Beta is now out, here’s how to try Apple’s new update before it’s released to everyone
How to install iOS 18 public beta
‘Beta’ is a term for a piece of software that is almost finished but not quite ready for a full release.
Apple, like many other software developers, releases beta versions of its programs so that the public can test them for any bugs or problems before the full launch.
To use the software before its release, you must first ensure that your phone is compatible and updated to the correct software version.
Phones from the second-generation iPhone SE and up should all work, provided you’ve updated to at least iOS 16.4.
To check the current software version, go to Settings, General and look in the About section.
iOS 18 (pictured) won’t be fully released until later this year, but users can try 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 sign up for Apple’s Beta Program, which you can find at this link.
Creating a Beta Program account will allow you to 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.
Once you’ve registered, you can click on the link for the version of the software you want to download to learn more about it.
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’ve used any of the Beta programs before, you should 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 display the list of available updates.
Then, simply select iOS 18 Public Beta and select either Update Now or Update Tonight depending on your preference.
By downloading the beta version, Apple users will be able to try out many of the new features such as the Tap to Cash update for Apple Wallet (pictured)
If you don’t immediately see the option for Beta, try checking that you’re signed in with the same Apple ID you used to sign up for the Beta Program.
When you download Beta software, you should be aware that you are installing a piece of software that is not fully finished.
This means there’s a good chance you’ll encounter bugs, glitches, and excessive battery drain.
On rare occasions, Apple Betas have been known to break things on users’ phones or even render them inoperable.
So make sure you think carefully before installing the Public Beta on your primary or work device.
Although Apple Intelligence is not included in the Beta, users will still have access to most of the new features, including home screen customization
What features are available in the iOS 18 public beta?
After installing the beta version, iPhone users should be able to access almost all the features that will be in the final iOS 18 update.
The only exception is the lack of any AI features included in Apple Intelligence, which will likely enter beta sometime in the fall.
However, iPhone users in the EU will have to wait even longer to try out the AI features as Apple says it won’t release Apple Intelligence in Europe until it resolves regulatory issues.
Even without Apple Intelligence, there are still more than enough features in the update to keep even the most avid tech enthusiast entertained.
In iOS 18, iPhone users can freely rearrange, rearrange and recolor their app icons. Applications can even be hidden in a separate, locked folder “Hidden” (right)
Most importantly, iOS 18 brings major improvements to your device’s usability.
iPhone users will be able to change the arrangement and size of icons on the home screen or add a pop of color.
These customization options also include the option to hide and block apps, which led iOS 18 to be dubbed a ‘cheat paradise’ on social media.
Users can choose to place apps in a ‘Hidden’ folder on the home screen, which can only be accessed through Face ID.
Control Center (pictured) has had a major overhaul with new options to customize icons and add new controls
Both the lock screen and control center also received a major overhaul in terms of customization options.
Users can now choose which icons and controls are visible from the lock screen and even add shortcuts to third-party apps.
Like the home screen, the icons in the Control Center can be rearranged and resized in any layout alongside options to add new custom controls.
The beta also includes some of the long-awaited changes to the Messages app.
Apple has launched new effects for text messages, as well as new ways to react to conversations through 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
More excitingly, Apple users will now be able to schedule text messages to be sent at a later time.
To do this, simply press the plus sign next to the text field and select Send later instead of pressing Send.
The Photos app will also see some big changes with a revamped carousel that lets users choose which galleries they have quick access to.
Apple has also added a new menu designed to make searching through your images easier.
Alongside iOS 18, Apple has also released beta versions of iPadOS 18, Mac OS Sequoia and Watch OS 11, all of which can be tested through the Beta Program.