Apple has now released the first public betas for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. This gives all the Apple enthusiasts out there a chance to test drive the new software ahead of its official launch in September. This public release follows three rounds of developer betas, and marks the first time the general public is getting a taste of these updates since WWDC in June.
Exciting times! The world of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 is now just a few taps away for everyone, and it’ll give you a chance to try out all the guides we’ve been writing about the new features.
But be warned that this is still pre-release beta software, meaning some apps might not work as intended just yet and you’re almost certain to encounter unexpected bugs from time to time. Personally, I’ve found the betas to be fairly smooth thus far, with a few exceptions. My iPhone sometimes lags during routine tasks, battery drains slightly faster than usual, and WhatsApp has been particularly buggy.
If those kind of issues don’t bother you, or you have a secondary device you can use, now’s your change to go for it. You’ll be able to try new features like Home Screen customization, the new Control Center layout, and all the fun changes in the Messages app, but remember that none of the upcoming Apple Intelligence features are ready for beta testing yet.
How to install the iOS 18 beta
To try iOS 18 for yourself, sign up for the free Apple Beta Software Program. Once registered, you can then download updates by heading to the Settings app, tapping on General, then hitting the Software Update section. Here, you can toggle on the iOS 18 Public Beta option, which grants access to the current release and all subsequent beta updates through the summer. Then simply update your software as usual.