A few weeks back, Apple unveiled its latest mobile software with the release of iOS 12. The software has been in the hands of developers since then, but you can get in on the fun now.
Apple has officially released the iOS 12 Public Beta program to those will eligible devices. If you want to partake in the fun and get a taste of iOS 12, here’s what you’ll need to do.
Join the iOS 12 Public Beta
Before joining the beta program, you will want to create a backup of your device on iOS 11. This can be done by following these steps:
Open Settings
Click on your Profile at the top
Scroll down and select your iOS device from the list
Click on iCloud Backup
Tap Back up now
This will create an iCloud backup of your device, including the apps and games that you have installed. This will also include your SMS messages and email accounts and other settings.
In order to sign up for the Public Beta program, you’ll need to head over to beta.apple.com and click ‘Sign up’. From there, you’ll need to log into the same Apple ID used on your mobile devices.
After you have signed in, Apple will prompt you to select a device that you want to download iOS 12 on. Once selected, you will be asked to open a specific page on your iOS device.
This will allow you to install the beta profile, which is necessary to receive the updates. After you have installed the profile, iOS 12 updates will come via OTA, just like your regular iOS updates.
In order to actually install the iOS 12 Public Beta, you will want to follow these steps:
Open Settings
Click General
Select Software Updates
A prompt should appear on your device asking if you want to download and install the iOS 12 Public Beta.
Why should you download?
The answer to the question posed is simple. If you want to be on the cutting edge of what Apple is working on, then you’ll want to join the beta program.
Once downloaded, you will get access to the best that iOS has to offer. This includes improved and revamped notifications, Siri improvements, and more.
Why not?
Just as it’s an easy answer behind downloading the iOS 12 Public Beta, the reason against is also just as simple. You won’t want to download this if you are planning to put iOS 12 on your primary device.
This is a beta program, and there will be plenty of bugs and quirks that may break some features. For those in the Developer Preview, there have been complaints of broken GPS and more issues.
Apple will continue to work out the kinks and push updates over the next few months. But in the meantime, you will want to tread carefully before jumping to install the beta program.
Unenroll from the iOS 12 Public Beta
If you end up running into issues with the iOS 12 beta program, you will want to revert back to iOS 11. In this case, you will need to uninstall the beta profile, which can be done through these steps:
Open Settings
Tap General
Scroll down and select Profile
Select the iOS 12 Beta Software Profile
Tap Remove Profile
Once completed, you will want to restore your device from factory settings. Then once the reset has been completed, you will be able to install the iOS 11 backup that you created previously.
Update Cannot Be Installed Message, Here’s How to Fix
Some users get this message after trying to download and install the iOS 12 Public beta on their iPhone. If you happen to see this error message on your device, it is fairly easy to fix.
Try restarting your phone and try again. also try over a different Wifi network to see if the install goes through.
If that didn’t work for you, your best bet is to delete the downloaded update from Settings > General > iPhone Storage > iOS 12 and then download it again. Majority of the times, deleting and re-downloading the update happens to fix this issue.
Conclusion
If you run into any issues throughout the process, be sure to let us know in the comments below. Remember, this is beta software, and should not be used on your iOS device that is used on a daily basis.
However, if you’re willing to take the risks, have some fun and get a taste of what iOS 12 will bring this Fall!
Andrew is a freelance writer based on the East Coast of the US.
He has written for a variety of sites over the years, including iMore, Android Central, Phandroid, and a few others. Now, he spends his days working for an HVAC company, while moonlighting as a freelance writer at night.
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