Before Apple releases software updates for everyone to install on their iPhone or iPad, it seeds an early version to developers and also allows the public to opt-in and test the updates first. If you want to access these and try new features before everyone else, then here is how to install the latest iOS and iPadOS public betas – which are iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 – on your iPhone and iPad, respectively.

Just keep in mind betas are not finished software. They may be loaded with bugs, so it’s probably wise to test them on your secondary devices if you have them.

How to download and install the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 public beta on your iPhone and iPad

You can install the latest public betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 in just a few minutes (though they take a while to download) and it’s much easier than it used to be too. In the past, it was a much longer process, but now you can get the betas to downloading directly from your phone or iPad.

  1. Head to Settings on your iPhone or iPad
  2. Tap on General
  3. Head to Software Update
  4. Click on Beta Updates
  5. Tap on iOS 17 Public Beta on iPhone or iPadOS 17 Public Beta on iPad
  6. Tap Back
  7. You’ll see iOS 17 Beta or iPad OS 17 Beta appear on the Software Update screen
  8. Tap on Download and Install
  9. Enter your iPhone or iPad’s passcode
  10. That’s it!

How to leave an iOS or iPadOS public beta

To stop receiving iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 betas, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates > Off.

Is it free to test an iOS public beta?

Yes. It is free to test Apple’s public betas for iOS and iPadOS.

What are the latest iOS and iPadOS public betas to try?

Between major iOS and iPad OS updates, which release every autumn, Apple typically rolls out smaller so-called “dot” updates. For instance, iOS 16 rolled out in September 2022, but we are now on iOS 16.5.1 in July 2023, having had 13 other updates in between. Some of these included some exciting features, while others fix bugs. However, the latest public betas are now iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 which are expected to rollout globally later this year.

Can your iPhone or iPad run the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 betas?

You’ll need an iPhone XS or newer to run the iOS 17 public beta. See below for the list of compatible iPhones that can run the iOS 17 beta:

  • Apple iPhone XS
  • Apple iPhone XS Max
  • Apple iPhone XR
  • Apple iPhone 11
  • Apple iPhone SE (2020)
  • Apple iPhone 12 mini
  • Apple iPhone 12
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro
  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • Apple iPhone 13 mini
  • Apple iPhone 13
  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro
  • Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Apple iPhone SE (2022)
  • Apple iPhone 14
  • Apple iPhone 14 Plus
  • Apple iPhone 14 Pro
  • Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

For iPadOS 17, you will need one of the following iPads to run the public beta:

  • iPad Pro (2nd generation and later)
  • iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
  • iPad (6th generation and later)
  • iPad mini (5th generation and later)