iOS 11.2.5 Beta 1 Released for Testing
Apple has released the first beta version of iOS 11.2.5 to users participating in the developer beta testing program.
The fresh beta build of system software appears to focus on bug fixes and improvements to the mobile operating system for iPhone and iPad devices running prior builds of iOS 11, and is unlikely to include any significant changes or new features.
If you’re a little perplexed by the new beta versioning being labeled as iOS 11.2.5 beta, you aren’t alone. Apple is apparently skipping betas versioned as iOS 11.2.2, iOS 11.2.3, and iOS 11.2.4, and not yet committing to beta test iOS 11.3, and instead jumping ahead to label the beta as iOS 11.2.5 for whatever reason. A likely explanation for the unusual versioning schema is that Apple is planning on releasing several smaller software updates with either bug fixes or security patches on the in-between version numbers, or perhaps has pending updates available, or even that the company wants to leave room for interim software updates by reserving the other 11.2.x version numbers, though this is entirely speculation.
The beta release comes freshly after Apple has released an updated final build of iOS to the general public, with the iOS 11.2.1 update which includes a security fix for HomeKit users. About a week prior Apple also released the final build of macOS 10.13.2 for Mac users.
Users who are participating in the beta testing program can find iOS 11.2.5 beta 1 available to download now from the Software Update section of the Settings app in iOS.
The first build is available for developer beta testers, but public beta versions usually come out soon after.
Separately, Apple also has released the first beta build of watchOS 4.2.2 for Apple Watch users and tvOS 11.2.5 for Apple TV users. Earlier in the week Apple released macOS High Sierra 10.13.3 beta 1 for Mac testers as well.
