How to Install the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 Betas
Reading Time: 3 minutesWith the right iPhone or iPad, anyone can try iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 today.
Apple announced iOS and iPadOS 16 during its WWDC event today, Monday, June 6. The new update sports some big changes, such as a customizable Lock Screen, revamped notifications, and the ability to edit and undo messages, while bringing some macOS window management to the iPad (finally). While the software won’t be available to the general public until the fall, you don’t have to wait that long to try it out. In fact, you can give it a go today.
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Which devices are compatible with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16?
Apple’s latest update is the first in some time to drop support for older iPhones. The iPhone 7, 7 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, and SE (first generation) are not compatible with iOS 16, and will be staying on iOS 15 for the rest of their lifecycles. That said, the list of iPhones and iPads that are compatible with ’16’ is quite long, so chances are your device is ready to update.
Here is the list of iOS 16-compatible iPhones:
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (third generation)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (second generation)
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
The following iPads are compatible with iPadOS 16:
- Pad Pro (all models)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (5th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
Don’t install a beta without knowing the risks
Betas are a great way to test out new software before they’re officially released. Of course, a beta’s purpose isn’t only to let you try out new features before your friends, it’s to identify problems with that software before the general public installs it on their devices.
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As such, if you choose to download the beta to your personal device, you should know you aren’t installing the same fully-tested software you normally expect from Apple. This beta could have bugs that get in the way of your device’s day-to-day use, or even corrupt your device. If things get so bad that you need to uninstall the beta, know the only way to do so is to restore your device to factory settings, which will delete any data not backed up to an independent source.
Before you install the beta on your iPhone or iPad, you should archive a backup of the device to your computer. An iCloud backup isn’t a good option here, since it will be overwritten while using the beta.
How to install the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 developer betas
If you’re an iOS or iPadOS software developer, you can enroll your device in Apple’s developer beta. Now, technically, anyone can be an Apple developer, even if you don’t know how to developer software. In order to get that title, however, you need to pay $99 per year. If trying out the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 betas are worth that price to you, go ahead and sign up from the following Apple enrollment site.
There are a couple ways to install the developer beta on your iPhone. This is the simplest:
- Make sure your iPhone is plugged into power and connected to wifi.
- Download the iOS 16 configuration profile from the developer downloads page on your iPhone.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and choose ‘Download and Install.’
- Tap install, then enter your passcode if prompted.
How to install the iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 public betas
Apple released the public betas for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 on Monday, July 11. While this version is technically the first public beta, it’s the same version as the third developer beta. Here’s how to install it on your device:
- Head to beta.apple.com, then choose ‘Sign up.’
- Sign into your Apple ID using Face ID, Touch ID, or username and password.
- Make sure you’re on the right ‘tab’ for your device. For example, if on iPhone, make sure you’re on ‘iOS;’ if on iPad, choose ‘iPadOS.’
- Under ‘Get Started,’ tap ‘enroll your iOS device.’
- Apple will warn you to backup your iPhone to your computer. We recommend you do so as well.
- Tap ‘Download profile,’ or go to beta.apple.com/profile to download the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 profile to your device.
- Head to Settings, then tap ‘Profile Downloaded.’ Tap ‘Install’ in the top right, enter your passcode, tap ‘Install,‘ then tap ‘Install’ on the popup again.
- Restart your device, then go to Settings > General > Software Update, and choose ‘Download and Install.’
- Tap install, then enter your passcode if prompted.
This article was updated Monday, July 11 with instructions for the newly-released iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 public betas.