If you have an Apple ID and a compatible device, you can download the developer beta releases of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS. In previous years, access to the developer betas required paying Apple an annual fee to participate in the developer program. But that requirement has been lifted.
Why would you try the developer beta?
If you’re keen to be a very early adopter of Apple’s latest software, then you can head over to Apple’s developer site and sign in with your Apple ID. But note that you don’t get the full range of benefits that come with an Apple developer account.
Why you shouldn’t jump straight into the developer beta program
in short, early developer betas are not very stable. The bugs they bring can make a perfectly good device close to useless in some cases.
If you’re going to run one of the new developer betas, I strongly recommend either waiting for a later, more stable release or using a spare device, if you have one, that is not critical to your day-to-day work.
If you’re ready to be an Apple crash test dummy…
Assuming you already have an Apple ID, you’ll need a compatible device.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.