Beta 7 of iOS 12 and macOS Mojave Released for Testing
Apple has released iOS 12 beta 7 and macOS Mojave beta 7 to users enrolled in the developer beta testing programs. Typically a developer beta build is released first, soon followed by the accompanying public beta builds.
Separately, Apple has also released new beta builds of tvOS 12 and watchOS 5 for Apple TV and Apple Watch beta testers.
iOS 12 beta 7 and macOS Mojave beta 7 apparently removes Group FaceTime chat, which was set to be one of the major new features in iOS 12 and MacOS Mojave. Instead, it’s suggested that Group FaceTime will be released in a later software update to iOS 12 and macOS Mojave.
Users enrolled in the beta testing programs can find the latest beta releases available to download now from the respective software update mechanisms in iOS and macOS.
For iOS, open the Settings app and go to the “Software Update” section to find the latest beta update available.
For macOS Mojave users, go to System Preferences and then to “Software Update” to locate the new beta update (notably, macOS Mojave has removed system software updates from the Mac App Store and returned them to System Preferences).
Anyone can install and run iOS 12 public beta right now on any compatible device, though beta system software is less reliable than final builds and is therefore only recommended to more advanced users who can run the beta releases on secondary hardware.
Likewise, anyone can install and run macOS Mojave public beta on a compatible Mac, but it too should be limited to more advanced users who make regular backups of their machines, and for non-primary computer hardware.
It’s worth mentioning that some users are reporting performance of iOS 12 beta 7 is unusually sluggish, particularly compared with prior iOS 12 beta releases. Whether the slow behavior will resolve itself on its own (as is often the case with software updates as the system software runs maintenance routines behind the scenes) or will require an additional software update is not yet clear.
The video embedded below from Twitter appears to demonstrate abnormally slow app launch speed with iOS 12 beta 7:
Impressive launch times on iOS 12 beta 7 pic.twitter.com/ePQRHxL0va
— Guilherme Rambo (@_inside) August 13, 2018
iOS 12 is said to focus on performance improvements for iPhone and iPad, and includes a variety of new features including Screen Time which lets you keep track of how often you use your device and with what apps (as well as set limits on app usage), new Animoji icons, a new Memoji feature that lets you create a cartoon avatar of yourself, among other refinements and improvements to the mobile operating system.
macOS Mojave includes an all new dark mode theme, along with desktop Stacks to help keep a desktop tidy of file cutter, new features and refinements to the Finder, the addition of various apps from the iOS world like Voice Memos and News, Dynamic Wallpapers that change appearance throughout the day, and more.
Both iOS 12 and macOS Mojave final are set to be released this fall.
Je sais pas
Well it looks like the first issue of iOS 12 beta 7 was pulled down by Apple, they will be re-releasing a new version of it. The performance was just terrible so I guess that is why they pulled it down. Stay tuned for more updates, maybe today a new version.
Meanwhile the public beta for Mojave (beta 6, same as dev beta 7) is now available.
Agree with Rudy too, the build number is good to know!
Toodles
Hi! Thanks for doing a great job, I really enjoy all the information you provide.
I have a question though – would it be possible to include mentioning the build of each new (beta)release, so one can check if they have the latest update? Would be much appreciated! Keep up the good work, kind regards, Rudy.
I have not been excited about an OS X update since 10.6. I do not know who Apple listens to re what to update, but as a serious user of the Mac for patient care, I can think of many ways to truly enhance both the software & hardware especially for the iMac. Instead, users like me have to resort to additional software like Default Window, Moom, PathFinder to name a few to improve what should have been adopted a long time ago into the Mac OS.