Apple released a public beta of iPadOS for compatible iPad 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.

iPadOS is a rebranded version of iOS 13 specially made for iPads, with extra features designed to take advantage of larger tablet displays. It includes an updated Home screen, improved multitasking functionality, new Apple Pencil functionality, support for external drives, folder sharing in Files, text editing improvements, and all of the other new changes in iOS 13.

ipados 1
With that said, bear in mind that iPadOS 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.

Is iPadOS Compatible With My iPad?

Apple's list of compatible devices confirms that iPadOS is compatible with all of these ‌iPad‌ models:

  • 12.9-inch iPad Pro 3rd generation
  • 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ 2nd generation
  • 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ 1st generation
  • 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌
  • 10.5-inch ‌iPad Pro‌
  • 9.7-inch ‌iPad Pro‌
  • ‌iPad‌ 6th generation (2018 model)
  • ‌iPad‌ 5th generation
  • iPad Air 3 (2019 model)
  • ‌iPad Air‌ 2
  • iPad mini 5 (2019 model)
  • ‌iPad mini‌ 4

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 by following the step-by-step instructions below.

How to Create a Backup of Your iPad in iTunes

  1. Connect your ‌iPad‌ to a Mac or PC using a Lightning to USB cable or a USB-C to USB cable, depending on the model.

  2. Open iTunes.
  3. Click the device icon in the top-left menu and select your ‌iPad‌.
    how to install the iPadOS Public Beta 1
  4. Under Backups, click This computer.
  5. Tick the Encrypt local backup checkbox if you want to securely back up your login credentials and any Health and HomeKit data.
    how to install the iPadOS Public Beta 2
  6. Click Back Up Now.
  7. Click iTunes -> Preferences… in the macOS menu bar.
  8. Click the Devices tab.
    how to install the ipados public beta 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 iPadOS Public Beta. To do so, you must enroll your ‌iPad‌ in the free Apple Beta Software Program.

  1. Open Safari on your ‌iPad‌ 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.
    how to install ipados public beta 4
  5. A Guide for Public Betas screen will appear. Select the iPadOS tab, scroll down to the Get Started section and tap enroll your iOS device.
  6. On the Enroll Your Devices screen, with the iPadOS tab selected, scroll down and tap the Download profile button. how to install ipados public beta 5
  7. Tap Allow at the profile prompt.
  8. Launch the Settings app on your iOS device and then tap Profile Downloaded below your ‌Apple ID‌ banner.
    how to install the iPadOS Public Beta 7
  9. Tap Install and follow the prompts to install the iOS Beta Software Profile.
  10. Restart your device after installing the profile by tapping the restart popup.

How to Install the iPadOS Public Beta

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

  1. Launch the Settings app on your ‌iPad‌.
  2. Tap General -> Software Update.
    how to install the iPadOS Public Beta 6
  3. Tap Download and Install.
  4. Tap Install Now.

If you come across any issues installing the iPadOS 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.


Want to discuss the iPadOS beta? Make sure to check out our iOS 13 discussion forum.

Related Forum: iOS 13

Top Rated Comments

dezza85 Avatar
79 months ago
So tempting as I cannot wait for the changes but not sure I want to install on a business critical daily driver!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
magicschoolbus Avatar
79 months ago
Beta testers are the real MVPs. I just want to know if a Sandisk extreme ssd will be able to be read from my lightning port...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paulchat55 Avatar
79 months ago
I am on my second try of installing the public beta. First time was last night and it was taking awhile so I turned it off, back on, and had to do a restore today back to ios12, then to beta 12.4, then install my backup. Now I’m trying again and it’s rebooted and been on the Apple logo for a good hour. It’s a 10.5” iPad Pro.
I have the same issue on my 10.5 iPad Pro. tried the install multiple times.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shirasaki Avatar
79 months ago
Beta testers are the real MVPs. I just want to know if a Sandisk extreme ssd will be able to be read from my lightning port...
You need an adapter with power pass through to give power to your SSD. Apple has one of these adapters. Many other hubs can also work.
Your SSD also needs to be formatted as APFS (in the future) or HFS+, FAT or exFAT might also work. No NTFS or any Linux filesystem support whatsoever.
[doublepost=1561510866][/doublepost]
Should have been a redesigned home screen for the iPhone as well.Can’t believe that they’ve kept it the same again.:(
Well...
Apple definitely does not want to change their iconic Home screen grid layout anytime soon as they just release iOS 13 with no such intention whatsoever. The thing is, most people don’t care.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twinlight Avatar
79 months ago
Tried it on my 12.9 and its stuck on springboard crashing. Login with code or touch, crash and reloads login. Good thing I didnt do a backup and that I dont have a computer with Itunes available! :p
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gravydog316 Avatar
79 months ago
Tap the blue person account icon (App Store) and scroll down the short list. You will see any apps that need to be updated.
yeah i found it! i like the old way 'cause i'm obsessed with app updates for some reason haha
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...
iPhone Car Key Kia

Here's Which Vehicles Offer iPhone Car Keys

Sunday July 6, 2025 3:03 pm PDT by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, including Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and a handful of others, and it is set to expand further. Apple has a web page with a list of vehicle models that ...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
iphone 17 pro render majin bu

New iPhone 17 Pro Renders Highlight Apple Logo and MagSafe Design Changes

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:43 pm PDT by
New renders today provide the best look yet relocated Apple logo and redesigned MagSafe magnet array of the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Image via Majin Bu. Several of the design changes coming to the iPhone 17 Pro model have been rumored for some time, such as the elongated camera bump that spans the full width of the device, with the LiDAR Scanner and flash moving to the right side. ...
iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island

iPhone 17 Models Rumored to Feature Redesigned Dynamic Island

Monday July 7, 2025 7:38 am PDT by
iPhone 17 models will feature a redesigned Dynamic Island user interface, according to a post today from Digital Chat Station, an account with more than three million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The account has accurately leaked some information regarding future Apple products in the past. The account did not share any specific details about the alleged changes that are ...
Prime Day 25 Feature Warm Triad

The Best Prime Day Deals on AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, and More

Monday July 7, 2025 10:55 am PDT by
Amazon is back with its annual summertime Prime Day event, lasting for four days from July 8-11, the longest Prime Day yet. As it does every year, Prime Day offers shoppers a huge selection of deals across Amazon's storefront. With the event now underway, we're tracking numerous all-time low prices on Apple gear right now. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a...