iOS 18 Beta 1 download now available for iPhone and iPad

Apple just announced iOS 18 at the WWDC 2024 keynote, and it can already be downloaded and installed on eligible iPhone models. Specifically, iOS 18 Beta 1 is available for download for registered Apple developers.

If you're using an iPad, iPadOS 18 beta 1 is also available for download, along with macOS Sequoia 15 beta 1 for Mac, watchOS 11 beta 1 for Apple Watch (which requires iOS 18 beta on a paired iPhone), tvOS 18 beta 1 for Apple TV, and visionOS 2 beta 1 for Vision Pro, each also as the first developer betas.

Can I really download the iOS 18 / iPadOS 18 beta now?

Technically, anyone can register as an Apple developer on the developer.apple.com website using their Apple ID and thus immediately access iOS 18 Beta 1, download it and install it on their iPhone.

However, just because you can doesn't mean you should. Developer betas are typically the crudest beta versions of system software available to the public in a beta testing cycle, especially this early in the beta cycle. So unless you're an advanced user or software developer, you're better off staying away. Ideally, you'll only run beta system software on a secondary device, not your daily-use iPhone or iPad.

How to download and install iOS 18 Beta 1 / iPadOS 18 Beta 1

Before you do anything else, back up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud and to your computer. This is the earliest and most sensitive beta system software, so you need to have a backup for your device so you can save your data and downgrade if necessary.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “General” and then select “Software Update”
3. Tap “Beta Updates” and select “iOS 18 Developer Beta”



4. Tap Back and then tap Update Now to download and install iOS 18 Beta 1 / iPadOS 18 Beta 1.

Your iPhone or iPad will restart to complete the installation.

When your iPhone or iPad restarts, it will be running the iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 beta.

Future beta software updates for iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 will be delivered through the typical System Preferences software update mechanism.

Remember that beta versions of system software are constantly being changed and worked on, so some features of iOS 18 may not be fully functional yet and things may be less stable than you're used to.

Aside from these beta versions, the most recent final stable builds of the system software are currently iOS 17.5.1 for iPhone, iPadOS 17.5.1 for iPad, macOS Sonoma 14.5 for Mac, macOS Ventura 13.6.7 and macOS Monterey 12.7.5 for Macs, watchOS 10.5 for Apple Watch, tvOS 17.5 for Apple TV, and iOS 16.7.8 and iPadOS 16.7.8 for select older iPhone and iPad models.

Related