Apple public betas: how to install and stay safe

Apple public betas let anyone try upcoming iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS features before they arrive for everyone. Think of them like a test drive: you get new features early, but expect rough edges. Use a spare device if you need your phone or laptop for work. If you like experimenting and can handle bugs, public betas are a good fit.

Before you do anything, back up your device. On iPhone and iPad use iCloud or Finder on a Mac. On macOS use Time Machine or create a full disk backup. Backups let you restore if the beta causes problems — don’t skip this step.

How to join and install

1. Visit beta.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. 2. Enroll the device you want to test. 3. For iPhone/iPad download the beta profile from the site, then open Settings → General → VPN & Device Management, enable the profile and restart. After the restart go to Settings → Software Update and download the beta. 4. For macOS enroll, then open System Settings → General → Software Update and click the upgrade option or download the installer from the site. 5. For Apple TV and Apple Watch follow the specific enrollment steps on beta.apple.com — watchOS usually needs your iPhone paired and a separate profile. Keep the device on Wi‑Fi and plugged in while it updates.

Public betas come after developer betas, so they tend to be more stable, but updates are frequent. Apple pushes fixes and small updates often during the beta cycle, so expect multiple downloads over a few weeks.

Practical checks, problems and how to leave

Check device compatibility on beta.apple.com before starting. Find your build number on iPhone at Settings → General → About → Software Version, and on Mac at About This Mac → System Report. That helps when you report bugs. Common issues include faster battery drain, app crashes, or some third‑party apps not launching. If an essential app fails, try reinstalling it or contact the app developer — many update quickly for major betas.

To leave the public beta remove the profile: on iPhone go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management and delete the profile, then restart. On Mac go to System Settings → General → Software Update → Details and remove the profile. Removing the profile stops future beta updates, but to fully downgrade to the last public release you may need to restore from a backup.

When you hit a bug, use the Feedback Assistant app that comes with the beta. Give clear steps to reproduce the issue, include your device model and build number, and attach screenshots or logs when possible. That makes it easier for Apple engineers to fix the problem.

Final quick tips: don’t install on a device you can’t live without, free up at least 20–30% storage, plug in during updates, and read the release notes on beta.apple.com. If you want new features but less risk, wait for the later public betas — they iron out many problems while still letting you test new features before the official release.