Beta Software Program

Beginning with iOS 17, Apple no longer requires payment of the $99 developer fee to access developer beta software. This means anyone can use their Apple ID to give the developer beta a whirl. Beware that developer beta software can be buggy and may cause problems on your device. Make sure to use a spare device or be ready to experience unexpected behavior.

Most users should really wait until the public beta of iOS 17 is released in July. This version will be more stable and ready for a wider release, even though the official launch of iOS 17 won't come until September.

The public beta version of iOS 16.1 has rolled out to compatible iPhones. This means plenty of bug fixes and a bunch of new features are getting ready for launch. iOS 16.1 delivers a long list of capabilities, with even more functionality coming in updates later this year.

For anyone not loving the latest beta software on their iPhone or iPad, reverting to the previous version is possible. While the Apple Beta Software Program gives brave souls a sneak peek at new features, some may prefer to uninstall iOS 16 beta or avoid it altogether. After all, beta software is still in the testing stages so that problems can be worked out ahead of general release.

Beta software for the Apple TV has arrived for participants in the Apple Beta Software Program. This is the first time that device owners can try tvOS 16 without being a developer. The latest version brings cross-device connectivity, which is sure to bring new features by integrating Apple TV apps with those on the Apple Watch, iPhone, and iPad. With tvOS 16 the Apple TV also gets Matter support, bringing better compatibility with smart home accessories using this standard.

For the first time ever, Apple has included the HomePod in its long-running Apple Beta Software Program. This means that non-developers can try out the latest and greatest HomePod Software 16 on their devices. The original HomePod does not get to participate, however since HomePod Software 16 can only be installed on the HomePod mini. While Apple has not announced new features or the changes included in HomePod Software 16, it is likely the update brings Matter support to HomePod mini.