Not all of the new
iOS 18 features are available right now, especially Apple Intelligence, if you install the
iOS 18 developer beta.
The “Send Later” feature in the Messages app that allows you to schedule when a text will be released is available now as is the feature allowing you to see the time on your iPhone even when the battery is dead. Still, no matter which new
iOS 18 capabilities have been added to the developer beta, it really is not a good time to be installing it.
Apple used to charge those who wanted to be known as an Apple Developer which would allow them to get the very first crack at updating a new iOS build. Starting with
iOS 17 last year,
Apple stopped charging $99 which means that anyone can be a developer and install the developer beta. But is it a good idea? Considering that beta versions of software are usually unstable and very buggy, features that you count on every day might stop working and your battery life could take a huge hit.
One
Redditor with the user name
jangirkapin wrote, “I regret so much, I wish I could easily go back to my lovely 16.6 some other apps don’t work at all and why … just some random dude showed me that he has the newest iOS and I really went for it why.” On the other hand, some iPhone users were happy to take the risk of installing the beta just to be able to take the flashlight and camera icons off of their lock screens.
If you decide to install the
iOS 18 developer beta anyway, here is how you do it. First, back up your data in case you want to exit the beta program and don’t feel like wiping your iPhone. Go to www.beta.apple.com or
click on this link. Tap on the Sign In box and use your Apple ID info to join the beta program. Next, turn to your iPhone and go to
Settings >
General >
Software Update. On the top of the screen top the Beta Updates bar and then tap on
iOS 18 Developer Beta. Exit the page. After a little while, go back to
Settings >
General >
Software Update and you should have the opportunity to install the
iOS 18 developer preview.
If you aren’t a masochist, you might want to wait until next month for the release of the
iOS 18 public beta. And if you don’t want to take any chances, the stable version of
iOS 18 will be out in September to coincide with the release of the
iPhone 16 line. If you do install the
iOS 18 developer beta and your phone is bricked, or important features you need are not working, don’t say that we didn’t warn you.
By the way, the iPhone models that support iOS 18 are: