iOS 12.1 Beta 1 Released for Testing, Along with Beta 1 of WatchOS 5.1 & tvOS 12.1
Apple has released the first beta versions of iOS 12.1, tvOS 12.1, and watchOS 5.1 to users participating in the beta system software testing programs.
The first beta builds of the various operating systems arrive just days after the final versions of iOS 12 update and watchOS 5 and tvOS 12 were released to the general public as final stable builds.
iOS 12.1 beta 1 apparently includes support for Group FaceTime with up to 32 participants, a feature that was initially intended for release with iOS 12.0 but was delayed. Aside from that, it’s likely that iOS 12.1 beta 1 focuses on various smaller adjustments, security improvements, and bug fixes.
Presumably watchOS 5.1 beta 1 and tvOS 12.1 beta also focus on minor changes, improvements, and bug fixes to the operating systems for Apple Watch and Apple TV as well.
iOS 12.1 beta 1 can be downloaded from the Software Update mechanism of the Settings app on any device enrolled in the iOS beta programs.
watchOS 5.1 beta 1 and tvOS 12.1 beta can be downloaded from those devices respective Software Update mechanisms as well.
It’s worth noting that if you were participating in the iOS 12 beta program, either as a developer or on the public beta, you will still receive beta software updates when they come available. If you don’t want to receive the future iOS beta track updates like iOS 12.1 beta then you must remove the iOS beta profile from the iPhone or iPad. Doing so will insure that only the final builds of iOS arrive as software updates to the device.
Most users should not beta test system software for their iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch, or Mac, as beta software is less reliable and generally aimed at developers and advanced users.
Currently there is not a new macOS Mojave beta available, but macOS Mojave is scheduled to be released to the public as a final build on September 24, and judging by how quickly Apple released these new beta builds for iOS, watchOS, and tvOS, it’s fairly likely that macOS Mojave 10.14.1 beta 1 will arrive soon after the final build of macOS Mojave 10.4 arrives next week.
