Apple to Launch Public Beta Testing Programs for iOS 8.3 and iOS 9 [Updated]

Friday February 20, 2015 7:09 am PST by Eric Slivka

ipad_iphone_ios_8 Following up on the public beta program used for OS X Yosemite that allowed non-developers to try out and offer feedback on the operating system before its release, Apple will be launching similar programs for iOS 8.3 next month and iOS 9 later this year, reports 9to5Mac.

...Apple intends to release the upcoming iOS 8.3 as a public beta via the company’s existing AppleSeed program in mid-March, according to the sources. This release will match the third iOS 8.3 beta for developers, which is planned for release the same week. Apple then expects to debut iOS 9 at its June Worldwide Developer Conference, with a public beta release during the summer, and final release in the fall.

iOS 8.2 is still in developer testing as Apple gears up for an April launch of the Apple Watch, but the company has also begun seeding iOS 8.3 to developers. The update includes a number of tweaks including support for wireless CarPlay, two-step verification on Google accounts, a new emoji picker, and Apple Pay through China UnionPay.

After a dramatic visual overhaul with iOS 7 in 2013 and a number of new features such as Continuity in iOS 8 last year, iOS 9 will reportedly focus on stability and optimization, although some new features are likely to be included.

Update 4:21 PM PT: Re/code has confirmed that Apple has plans to offer a public beta testing program for iOS 8.3 beginning in mid-March.

Tag: iOS 8.3

Related Forum: iOS 9

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• 140 comments

Top Rated Comments

Traverse

146 months ago

I must admit, I never thought they'd do this for iOS, but I'm glad to hear it!

I unfortunately don't have time to test unreliable beta software anymore (though I always enjoyed it), but it makes me excited to think about the bugs that will get ironed out before the official release. Especially the little ones like the menu bar sticking to the top of the photos app, or iPads getting suck in one orientation, or UI lag on new devices.

Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)

hlfway2anywhere

146 months ago

And even if MacRumors designates forums for beta testers there will still be people who insist on posting in every thread that "it's a beta" and that somehow discussing bugs is "complaining." Can't wait.

The It-Already-Started Hall Of Fame:

That's not what people mean when they say others are "complaining." It's the people who come on the forums and rail about how unstable a "release" of iOS is, when they're running a developer build, or who incessantly complain about features not working on those same developer builds. The problem with that is two fold:

First, you should not be running developer builds on your daily driver, and even if you do you should take the inherent instability and glitches as part of the territory.

Second, as part of the developer program you agree to an NDA. You're not supposed to be disclosing details of the release in public forums, but should be discussing them in the Apple developer forums.

Yes, and sometime people do the other thing and dissagree with people who don't understand that when they test a beta software, they will be facing bugs which take time to be ironed, and if dealing with bugs frustrates and makes them sick, then they probably should quit testing and stick with the official public releases.

So yeah, sometimes people do that too and it's perfectly acceptable.

You just know people are gonna do this with their primary or only iPhone, have all kinds of bugs and apps not working, and then the Apple Store employees are gonna have to deal with it.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

AngerDanger

146 months ago

I want in on this! How does one get picked as a beta tester?!

Buy a new iPhone, crack open the back, and if there's a golden ticket within… somebody at Foxconn was messing around.

According to the article, it'll be through the AppleSeed program (https://appleseed.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/).

Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

danielceleste

146 months ago

Aaaaaaaand commence all high schoolers installing iOS 9 on their phones when it's simply not ready yet. Then they all throw their iPhones off a bridge, say that they've "Gone Galaxy" and are "never going back to iPhone" and then, when iOS 9 comes out, everyone is too scared to upgrade and then adoption is slow and Apple is doomed and then oh wait they're making a car?

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But in all seriousness, I ain't about that beta life no mo. It's overrated.

Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)