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
99 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
99 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
99 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
99 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
99 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

airpods pro 3 purple

New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year

Tuesday January 20, 2026 9:05 am PST by
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest. Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
iOS 27 Mock Quick

iOS 27 Will Add These 8 New Features to Your iPhone

Sunday January 18, 2026 3:51 pm PST by
iOS 27 is still many months away, but there are already plenty of rumors about new features that will be included in the software update. The first beta of iOS 27 will be released during WWDC 2026 in June, and the update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in September. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard, in the sense...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

MacBook Pro Buyers Now Facing Up to a Two-Month Wait Ahead of New Models

Sunday January 18, 2026 6:50 pm PST by
MacBook Pro availability is tightening on Apple's online store, with select configurations facing up to a two-month delivery timeframe in the United States. A few 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro configurations with an M4 Pro chip are not facing any shipping delay, but estimated delivery dates for many configurations with an M4 Max chip range from February 6 to February 24 or even later. At...
smaller dynamic island iphone 18 pro Filip Vabrous%CC%8Cek

iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout

Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely. Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...