How to Test Drive iOS 15 Beta

Apple released the beta version of iOS 15 on June 30, and there are some exciting additions. Most of the updates are designed to help improve the social features of the iPhone. I am most excited about the iMessage “Shared with You” feature that will collect media that people send you in one location for you to review at your leisure. 

You will also see improvements to FaceTime including being able to use FaceTime with Android or Windows users by sending them a link to connect. In FaceTime SharePlay, you will be able to watch shows over videoconferencing if you use supported apps like Disney+.

Machine learning will now identify different items within the photo and even allow you to search for text inside a photo. No more scrolling forever to find that one photo with  

If you’re easily distracted by every new notification like some people can be (okay, it’s me) then a new feature called Focus might be able to help you stay on task. Focus will limit who or what can send you notifications and you can control when those notifications come through.

Best of all you can take the beta for a commitment-free test drive. If the kinks associated with the beta version are too much to handle, you can step back down to iOS 14 at any time. Taking a step back requires you to reset your phone so make sure you have a full backup done before you download the beta version.

But, if you can handle a few glitches, your invaluable feedback will help Apple smooth out any wrinkles. Then you can tell your friends that you consult for Apple!

Apple will release the final version of iOS 15 in the fall but if you want to get in on the action early, here’s how:

Step 1. Go to Apple’s Beta Software Program on the iPhone you want to use for the download and sign in with your Apple ID.

Make sure you select the right version for the device you are downloading to.

Step 2. Under the “Get started” section, select “enroll your device.” 

Step 3. On the next page, scroll down to “Install profile” section and select “Download profile.” Note: Apple recommends that you archive a backup before beginning the download.

Step 4. You will need to approve the message that you are downloading a configuration file.

Step 5. Once the profile has been downloaded go to “Settings,” then “General,” and in the “General” menu select “Software Update” to install the available beta software. 

And you are now on the cutting edge of technology. Beta versions are a really great way to get a massive amount of data and feedback by employing users like as part of a large-scale quality control effort. You will help shape a product that will be used by millions of people. Pretty cool, right?