How to install the iOS 18 public beta

Those with Apple developer accounts have had a lot of fun with the iOS 18 beta so far, but now that the public beta is here, anyone can try out the new features. Setting up the public beta is a little less complicated than setting up the developer beta, but just as free. And if you're looking for help with the iPadOS 18 beta, you're in the right place: The setup process is identical.

However, when you try out the beta, you should understand what you're getting into. For one thing, you won't get all the new features at once; many of them will come later. Plus, the fun of trying out features early comes with the potential thrill of stability issues and excessive battery drain. And it's rare these days, but Apple's betas can damage or potentially brick your phone, so be sure to back it up before installing the beta.

What new features are in iOS 18?

The coolest update coming in iOS 18 is the Apple Intelligence suite of AI features. These include features that provide AI photo editing and writing assistance. There's also a "semantic index" on the device that fulfills requests in the context of personal data, such as knowing to scan your messages, email, and calendar when you vaguely ask, "What time is dinner with Mom?"

However, these features won't be available in beta until this fall. Other new features include an overhaul of Photos and a much more customizable Control Center and homescreen.

Which devices support iOS 18? With the exception of the Apple Intelligence features — which are only supported on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as iPads with M1 chips and above — iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will work with these devices: iPhone iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 Mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR iPhone SE (2nd generation and later) iPad iPad Pro (M4) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later) iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later) iPad Air (M2) iPad Air (3rd generation and later) iPad (7th generation and later) iPad Mini (5th generation and later) How to install iOS 18 Running the public beta is a straightforward process. (And as mentioned above, all of these steps work for iPadOS 18 as well.) First, make sure you're on at least iOS/iPadOS 16.4 by going to Settings > General > About and checking your iOS version.

You'll need to sign up for the Apple Beta Program. If you're not, visit this link and click Sign Up — and make sure you use the same Apple ID as the device you want to run the beta on. Once you've signed up, you can click the tab for the OS you want to run the beta for (in this case, 18), and you'll see details on how to do so.

Next, you'll need to initiate the update. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. If you're not new to beta updates, you might see the iOS 18 Beta (or iPadOS 18 Public Beta) selection right away, in which case, you can skip the next two steps. Otherwise... Look for the New Beta Update option and tap it. Look for the list of updates for your Apple ID - if you don't see the update you want, tap ID and choose Use a different Apple ID.

Select iOS 18 Public Beta (or iPadOS 18 Public Beta).

Then go back to the previous screen and tap Update Now (or Update Tonight if you want to wait).

And you're done!