How to get iOS 18 public beta? Eligible iPhones, new features, and more
After an extended developer beta stage, iOS 18 has entered a public beta stage where users can check the upcoming software version's stability and new features. Every new feature is live, along with apps that have been fine-tuned to make the most out of everything being added. In this article, we have outlined the information you need about the new software version, including how to update, all eligible phones, and the new features.
How to download and install iOS 18 public beta?
The iOS 18 Public Beta can be quickly downloaded from the Settings app. Before you begin, however, you must be signed up as a beta tester on Apple's website.
Follow these steps to get the beta installed on your iPhone:
- Ensure you are signed up for the iOS beta program. Go to the official page to Sign up.
- Go to your phone's Settings app.
- Navigate to the Software Update section. Here, you will find a new option called Beta Updates. Click on it.
- You can choose iOS Public Beta to switch to the upcoming software version.
- Go back to the Software Update page. From here, click on Update Now or Update Tonight to get the beta on your device.
Which iPhones support iOS 18?
iOS 18 continues Apple's trend of supporting their phones for over six years. Everything above the iPhone XR and the second-generation iPhone SE is supported.
The following iPhones are eligible to participate in the beta and will be updated this Fall:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (second-gen or later)
The following iPads will get the upcoming iPadOS 18:
- M4 iPad Pro
- 3rd gen iPad Pro 12.9-inch and above
- 1st-gen iPad Pro 11-inch and above
- M2 iPad Air
- 3rd-gen iPad Air and above
- 7th-gen iPad and above
- 5th-gen iPad Mini and above
What are the new features of iOS 18?
Several new features are coming to iPhones and iPads with the upcoming update. Apple outlined all of these in the WWDC event last month.
- Starting this year, Apple is dropping "Hey" from "Hey Siri." This has been possible due to advancements in speech processing. You can now interact with the assistant more naturally instead of yelling the target keyword.
- Contact posters are getting even better this year. This allows for an improved calling experience.
- Live voicemails with transcripts are being added this year.
- Adding to the voicemail experience, you can now leave FaceTime messages after your call drops.
- The new iOS version is adding massive home screen customization features.
- NameDrop is being improved this year, allowing users to tap and share their information instead of hovering their devices over each other.
- Live Stickers are being added this year.
- Autocorrect is getting better with iOS 18.
Overall, the upcoming iPhone operating system version is a massive update in quite a few years. Homescreen customization is particularly huge for Apple devices. The company has been quite bearish in this regard for over a decade.