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
86 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
86 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
86 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
86 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
86 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

Generic iOS 19 Feature Mock Light

iOS 19 Leak Reveals All-New Design

Friday January 17, 2025 2:42 pm PST by
iOS 19 is still around six months away from being announced, but a new leak has allegedly revealed a completely redesigned Camera app. Based on footage it obtained, YouTube channel Front Page Tech shared a video showing what the new Camera app will apparently look like, with the key change being translucent menus for camera controls. Overall, the design of these menus looks similar to...
2024 App Store Awards

Apple Explains Why It Removed TikTok From the App Store in the U.S.

Sunday January 19, 2025 6:58 am PST by
Apple on late Saturday removed TikTok from the App Store in the U.S., and it has now explained why it was required to take this action. Last year, the U.S. passed a law that required Chinese company ByteDance to divest its ownership of TikTok due to potential national security risks, or else the platform would be banned. That law went into effect today, and companies like Apple and Google...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Changes Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More

Thursday January 16, 2025 6:45 am PST by
Apple today adjusted estimated trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models in the U.S., according to its website. Some values increased, while others decreased. The changes were not too significant, with most values rising or dropping by $5 to $50. We have outlined some examples below: Device New Value Old Value iPhone 15 Pro Max Up to $630 U ...
Generic iOS 18

Everything New in iOS 18.3 Beta 3

Thursday January 16, 2025 12:39 pm PST by
Apple provided the third beta of iOS 18.3 to developers today, and while the betas have so far been light on new features, the third beta makes some major changes to Notification Summaries and also tweaks a few other features. Notification Summary Changes Apple made multiple changes to Notification Summaries in response to complaints about inaccurate summaries of news headlines. For...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Rumored to Be Compatible With These iPhones

Saturday January 18, 2025 10:28 am PST by
iOS 19 will not drop support for any iPhone models, according to French website iPhoneSoft.fr. The report cited a source who said iOS 19 will be compatible with any iPhone that can run iOS 18, which would mean the following models: iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhon...
airtag 4 pack blue

AirTag 2 Launching This Year With These 3 New Features

Sunday January 19, 2025 8:11 am PST by
After a four-year wait, a new AirTag is finally expected to launch in 2025. Below, we recap rumored upgrades for the accessory. A few months ago, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said Apple was aiming to release the AirTag 2 around the middle of 2025. While he did not offer a more specific timeframe, that means the AirTag 2 could be announced by the end of June. The original AirTag was announced...
iPad Pro vs iPhone 17 Air Feature

Here's How Thin the iPhone 17 Air Might Be

Friday January 17, 2025 3:38 pm PST by
For the last several months, we've been hearing rumors about a redesigned version of the iPhone 17 that Apple might call the iPhone 17 "Air," or something along those lines. It's going to replace the iPhone 17 Plus as Apple's fourth iPhone option, and it will be offered alongside the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. We know the iPhone 17 Air is going to be super slim, but...
apple power beats pro 2

Powerbeats Pro 2 Coming Soon: Apple to Announce Them 'Imminently'

Sunday January 19, 2025 8:25 am PST by
In September, Apple said that it would be launching Powerbeats Pro 2 in 2025, and it appears the wireless earbuds are coming very soon. Powerbeats Pro 2 images found in iOS 18 code In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the Powerbeats Pro 2 are "due imminently." In addition to Apple filing the Powerbeats Pro 2 in regulatory databases last month, Gurman said Apple is...