How to install the iOS 13 and iPadOS public beta
Want to take Apple’s unfinished software for a spin? It’s easy.
Apple has now officially begun its public beta test of iOS 13. The beta is expected to last until the public release in September, with updates every week or two. We caution you not to install the beta on a critical device – it is often full of bugs and rife with issues like poor battery life. That’s what a beta is for, after all: finding and fixing bugs.
Back up your device
Before you install any new OS update, and especially before you install a beta, it’s very important to make sure your device is backed up. Apple has a step-bystep guide to backing up your iPhone or iPad at fave.
co/2LP2OiU. We suggest performing an iTunes backup and creating an encrypted backup. That will ensure that your Health and Activity data is backed up as well.
Sign up and download the beta profile
Using the iPhone or iPad you want to install the iOS 13 or iPadOS beta on, head to beta.apple.com.
Tap the Sign Up button, and sign in using your Apple ID. You’ll be taken to a ‘Guide for Public Betas’ page, which we suggest you read.
At the top of the page, select Enrol Your Device. Select iOS or iPadOS.
Scroll down to Step 2 (you made a backup already, right?) and tap on Download Profile.
You’ll get a pop-up warning that the website is trying to download a configuration profile. That’s what you want, so tap Allow.
Once the profile is downloaded, go to Settings > General > Profile to see that it’s there. Tap on it and follow the on-screen instructions to make sure the profile is verified and active.
Update your iPhone or iPad
Once you have the profile installed, updating to the beta is easy. Just go to Settings > General > Software
Update. You’ll see the beta listed there. Download and install it just as you would any other iOS update. Your iPhone or iPad will restart, and you’re ready to roll with the iOS 13 beta.
Be sure to use the Feedback app when you encounter bugs; don’t just assume Apple knows about them, and even if they do, bugs that get reported by more people are more likely to be promptly fixed.
How to remove the beta
Are you finding the bugs in the iOS 13 beta hard to live with? Did you fly too close to the sun, and now you want to go back? Good thing you make a backup, right?
Apple has a page detailing the steps to remove the iOS beta – fave.co/2JuhYZC. The simplest way is to remove the beta profile and then wait for the next non-beta release of iOS. Then update your iPhone or iPad as you normally would, and you’ll be off the beta.
Go to Settings > General, and tap Profile. Tap the iOS Beta Software Profile. Tap Remove Profile, then restart your device.
If you want to get back to iOS 12 right now, you’re going to have to erase and restore your device using your iTunes backup.
1. Connect your device to your computer, then put your device in recovery mode with these instructions:
On an iPad with Face ID: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Press and hold the Top button until your device begins to restart. Continue holding the Top button until your device goes into Recovery Mode.
For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery-mode screen. For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, or iPod touch (7th
generation): Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Don’t release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Continue to hold both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen. For iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad with Home button,
or iPod touch (6th generation or earlier): Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Don’t release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Continue to hold both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen. 2. Click the Restore option when it appears. This erases your device and installs the current non-beta version of iOS. 3. Wait for the restore to finish. If asked, enter your Apple ID and password, which disables Activation Lock.
If you can’t get the restore process to work, check out this Apple help page – fave.co/2JuM8vN.