How to Install iOS 18 Beta on iPhone
With iOS 18 announced, many iPhone users are interested in trying out iOS 18 beta so that they can have hands-on experience with the upcoming iPhone operating system and it’s host of new features. Whether you want to play around with the new customizable dark mode icons and themes, move your Home Screen icons and widgets anywhere you want to, customize your Control Center, play around with the new Photos app, schedule Messages, or just explore the new AI features, iOS 18 beta offers early access to these features and more.
This tutorial will explain the considerations, system requirements, and process of installing iOS 18 developer beta onto iPhone.
Anyone can install iOS 18 beta, but wait!
Apple recently changed their developer beta testing program to allow anyone to opt their Apple ID / Apple Account into receiving beta system software, without having to pay the annual $100 developer program fee. Now, the fee is only necessary to pay if you wish to contribute apps to the App Store. Basically this means that anyone can download and install iOS 18 beta right now, even if they aren’t a developer.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea. Developer beta versions of iOS are particularly buggy and unstable, meaning if you install iOS 18 beta onto an iPhone right now, your device may not function as intended. You might experience crashes, app incompatibilities, the iPhone might get unusually warm or hot from errant processes and system bugs, battery may drain much faster than normal, and you could even experience some unexpected data loss. That is the nature of running beta system software, meaning if you are not an advanced user or developer, you should probably avoid the iOS 18 developer beta.
If you’re merely curious about running iOS 18 ahead of everyone else, a better approach would be to wait until iOS 18 public beta is available in July. If you’re a more casual user, or don’t want to deal with major bugs or potential issues, the best solution is to wait for iOS 18 to be final and released this fall for everyone.
iOS 18 Supported iPhone List
Aside from registering as an Apple Developer, your next essential requirement for iOS 18 is to make sure your iPhone is compatible with the beta operating system. Here is the list of iOS 18 compatible iPhone models, according to Apple:
- iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone SE 2nd generation and iPhone SE 3rd generation
- iPhone 16 series, which will come with iOS 18 preinstalled
As you can see, basically anything newer than iPhone XR is compatible with iOS 18. However, some features are only available for iPhone 15 and newer, including some of the advanced AI features of iOS 18.
How to Install iOS 18 Developer Beta on iPhone
If you’re advanced user who has a compatible iPhone, here’s how you can install iOS 18 beta right now:
- First, backup iPhone or iPad to iCloud as well as your computer to Finder or iTunes. Do not skip backing up your device, failure to backup could result in permanent data loss
- Next, you must enroll your Apple ID in the Apple Developer program by going to developer.apple.com/enroll and choosing to “Start Your Enrollment”. You will need to sign-in with your Apple ID to join the developer program, and fill out some basic information. When finished, you’ll be able to get access to beta system software including iOS 18 beta through the developer beta testing program
- Now open the “Settings” app on iPhone
- Go to “General” and then choose “Software Update”
- Look for “Beta Updates” and tap on that
- Now tap to select “iOS 18 Developer Beta”
- Tap “Back”, and wait a moment, you’ll find iOS 18 beta will populate as an available system software update for iPhone
- Tap on “Update Now” to download and install iOS 18 beta onto the iPhone
The iPhone will download and install iOS 18 beta, just like any other system software update. Soon, iPhone will reboot and be running iOS 18.
Beta updates will continue to arrive through Software Update in the Settings app, be sure to install those as they come since each beta iteration typically improves features and stability.
The final version of iOS 18 will be released this fall.
