The iOS 18 public beta is available for iPhone right now. How to download it (and which models support it)

The iOS 18 beta running on iPhone 15 Pro.

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Apple announced significant updates for the iPhone with iOS 18 during last month’s WWDC event. In addition to a customizable home screen, Control Center, and lock screen, iOS 18 will give users a Photos app overhaul, new Messages enhancements, a new Passwords app, and many artificial intelligence (AI) updates under Apple Intelligence to enhance app functionality.

Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)

While the iOS 18 general release is still a couple of months away, users can now download a public beta version. Apple released the iOS 18 developer beta a month ago. Before you download a beta version of an operating system, you should have some housekeeping items in mind:

Back up your device and personal information.
Don’t download beta software, which will likely have bugs and glitches, on your everyday iPhone.
You should go into the experience to test new features and share feedback to improve iOS, which is why beta versions are released.

How to install the iOS 18 beta version

What you need: An iPhone running iOS 16.5 or later. Since not all iPhones are compatible with iOS 18, you’ll also need a model newer than the iPhone X.

Go to your iPhone’s Settings and select General.

Access your iPhone Settings — Screenshot: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Within General, tap on Software Update. Your iPhone’s Software Updates feature must be updated to automatically receive beta updates and beta versions of iOS.

Go to Software Updates in Settings — Screenshot: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Go to Beta Updates to enable it and select the iOS version you’d like to access. This setting is turned off by default on iPhones.

Enable Beta Updates — Screenshot: Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Select iOS 18 Public Beta to begin receiving automatic software updates to the latest beta version of iOS 18. Apple currently has four beta versions of iOS: iOS 18 public beta, iOS 18 developer beta, iOS 17 public beta, and iOS 17 developer beta. These four options will soon be reduced to just the two iOS 18 variants.

Once you do this, return to the previous page. If an update is available now, your iPhone will prompt you to download and install it.

FAQs

When was iOS 18 beta released?

Apple released the iOS 18 developer beta during WWDC 2024 in June, and the public beta version was released on July 15.

Also: The best iOS 18 features that will make updating your iPhone worthwhile

How to download the iOS 18 developer beta?

To download the iOS 18 developer beta version, navigate to your settings to install the iOS 18 developer beta if your device runs iOS 16.4 and is used with an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program:

Go to your iPhone Settings
Tap on General
Select Software Update
Go to Beta Updates
Choose the iOS 18 Developer Beta

If you can’t see this option, go to your Settings, select Privacy & Security, and enable Developer Mode.

Also: How to use and customize your iPhone’s new Control Center with iOS 18

If you aren’t already a member of the Apple Developer Program, you can sign up to become one in the app. An annual membership costs $99.

What is in iOS 18 beta 3?

The iOS 18 developer beta version recently got its beta 3 release, which features dynamic wallpaper, a revamped Messages experience with wider RCS coverage, new Photos app features, and more. To download this beta version before it’s publicly available, you must be part of the Apple Developer programming.

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