Listen up, Apple iPhone users! Here's how to get new features on your phone before others

NEW DELHI: Every year, Apple releases the latest version of iOS, the operating system that powers the company's iPhones and iPads. The Cupertino-based smartphone giant unveils the next-generation version of the iOS operating system at its annual developers conference, called Worldwide Developers Conference or WWDC, in June every year. While the iOS version is introduced at WWDC, Apple starts rolling it out to users usually in the months of September or October. These iOS versions are followed by regular updates. However, by which users can get their hands on Apple's next-generation iOS features earlier. This is by enrolling in the company’s Apple Beta Software Program. The program is free to join.

Those enrolled in this program get access to iOS public beta versions a bit earlier than the rest the others and can use the new features as well. However, note that these versions are not the final version, but they do give you a fair idea of what the end product will look like. Here are some steps on how to become a member. Apple usually keeps such programs in order to get a feedback from users about any bugs or other issues.

While today we’re only talking about iOS beta program, similar programs are there for macOS and tvOS as well.


Step 1: Anyone with an Apple ID can sign up for this Apple Beta Software Program. To get going, visit https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/welcome and sign in to your account.

Step 2: Before installing the beta software, backup the data so that you don’t lose content in case things don’t go as planned.

Step 3: From the iOS device (iPhone or iPad), visit beta.apple.com/profile website to download the configuration profile.

Step 4: Once downloaded, the iOS device will prompt automatically to install it. Follow the instructions on the screen.

Step 5: After this the device will get an OTA update for the beta version of the latest iOS. You can tap to Settings > General > Software Update. And voila!

The current (running) version of Apple iOS is iOS 11 and this year the company is widely expected to launch iOS 12 at WWDC 2018. The conference is scheduled to be held on June 4 through June 8. Apple will be holding the event at the McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, US.