ios 12 iconApple today released the first public beta of iOS 12 for compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models, enabling users who aren't signed up for the Apple Developer Program to test the software update ahead of its official release in the fall.

While iOS 12 introduces several new features, it is designed to work on all iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models that can run iOS 11, and the company says it has focused on bringing performance improvements to both old and new devices.

That said, iOS 12 is pre-release software, so installing the Public Beta on a secondary device is highly recommended. The stability of beta software cannot be guaranteed, as it often contains bugs and issues that have yet to be ironed out, so installing it on your day-to-day device isn't advised.

Installing the Public Beta shouldn't take longer than half an hour, but first you should create a backup of your device's contents and settings. The following step-by-step instructions are given for iPhone, but apply to iPad and iPod touch just the same.

How to Create a Backup of Your Device in iTunes

  1. Connect your iOS device to a Mac or PC using a Lightning to USB cable.

  2. Open iTunes.

  3. Click the device's icon in the top-left menu.
    backup ios device 1

  4. Under Backups, click This computer.

  5. Tick the Encrypt iPhone backup checkbox if you want to back up your login credentials and any Health and HomeKit data.
    backup ios device 2

  6. Click Back Up Now.

  7. Click iTunes -> Preferences… in the macOS menu bar.

  8. Click the Devices tab.
    backup ios device 3

  9. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) the new backup, and select Archive from the contextual dropdown menu.

How to Enroll in the Apple Beta Software Program

Now that you've backed up your device, you're ready to download the iOS 12 Public Beta. To do so, you must enroll your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch in the free Apple Beta Software Program.

  1. Open Safari on your iOS device and navigate to the Apple Beta Software Program.

  2. Tap the Sign up button, or sign in if you're already a member.

  3. Enter your Apple ID credentials and tap the Sign in button.

  4. Agree to the Apple Beta Software Program terms and conditions if necessary.

  5. A Guide for Public Betas screen will appear. Select the iOS tab, scroll down to the Get Started section and tap enroll your iOS device.

  6. On the Enroll Your Devices screen, with the iOS tab selected, scroll down and tap the Download profile button. ios12installbetaprofile

  7. Tap "iPhone" or "iPad" when prompted to choose a device.

  8. Tap Allow.

  9. Tap Install and follow the prompts to install the iOS Beta Software Profile. ios12betaprofileiphone

  10. Restart your device after installing the profile by tapping the restart popup.

How to Install the iOS 12 Public Beta

Once you're enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, you can install the iOS 12 Public Beta on your iOS device just as you would a regular software update.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

  2. Tap General.

  3. Tap Software Update.

  4. Tap Download and Install.ios12publicbetainstall

  5. Tap Install Now.


If you come across any issues installing the iOS 12 Public Beta, it may help to clear any previous profiles lingering on your device. You can find these in the Settings app under General -> Profile.

Related Forum: iOS 12

Top Rated Comments

0947347 Avatar
96 months ago
Now to find an older device... anybody have experience of speed increases on older hardware?
5s feels like a new phone. Not the same speed as iOS 7 but pretty good
- battery also last longer
- tiny little stutter while scrolling really fast

but I am not a heavy user, so do not know how it is under heavy stress
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
saudade Avatar
96 months ago
I’m not installing this as it will be full of bugs.
Dud r u da kind of men who safely remove a pendrive from a computer too?

Be a man like me and install thiz. Who cares if a female or the ios12 is full of bugs. Just do it. This is America. Land of the BRAVE
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
96 months ago
Good article for the newbies.
[doublepost=1529972626][/doublepost]
Whatever you do, make two backups. One with iCloud and one with iTunes or Apple Configurator.
iCloud backup does not archive like iTunes does. Best stick to iTunes and or use iMazing, if one needs to roll back.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
96 months ago
I’m not installing this as it will be full of bugs.
Get a can of bug spray.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Knightcastle Avatar
96 months ago
Now to find an older device... anybody have experience of speed increases on older hardware?
Noticeably faster on my iPad Mini 4. Currently on Dev Beta 1.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

ios 26 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon: New Features for Your iPhone and Release Date

Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Release Date Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
maxresdefault

Apple TV 4K Could Still Launch Before 2025 Ends: All the Rumored Features

Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors. ...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock 1

Leaker Outlines Potential New Colors for iPhone 18 Pro

Friday October 31, 2025 8:28 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker. The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy. The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
ipad mini 7 feature blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...
apple tv hd

Apple Launched Its Big New Vision for TV 10 Years Ago Today

Thursday October 30, 2025 8:58 am PDT by
Apple launched the Apple TV HD, the Siri Remote, tvOS, and their accompanying App Store a decade ago today, marking a major overhaul of the device. The new vision for the Apple TV was unveiled on September 9, 2015 during Apple's "Hey Siri" event in San Francisco, where CEO Tim Cook introduced the device with the statement, "The future of TV is apps." The announcement represented a major...