At this week’s Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple revealed the next version of its operating system, iOS 9, which will be coming out later this year. Apple will offer a public beta form of iOS 9 in July before releasing a full launch in the fall. Here we outline how you can start testing iOS 9 before its full launch in the fall.
Last year’s WWDC had Apple offering a public beta for the OS X Yosemite, but this is the first time iOS is being offered outside the developer community before its official launch. If you want to get in on iOS 9 sooner rather than later, go to Beta.Apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID. iOS 9 will run on all devices that support iOS 8; this includes the iPhone 4 and newer as well as iPad 2 and newer. More good news, iOS 9 has dramatically reduced its size compared to the overwhelming iOS 8 update, so you don’t need to free up a lot of space before installing on your iOS device.
Once you register you will have to hold your excitement until the beta comes out in July. Apple didn’t release an availability date for beta testing in July or a date for the official release in the fall. However, historically Apple has iOS releases come out in mid-September. The best practice before installing a new update is to back-up your device. Although we are optimistic about iOS 9 capabilities, it is always a good idea to back-up your iOS device before using potentially unstable software. If you have a Mac then you can also register for the latest OS X Beta, the Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan. Here is the breakdown for how to get iOS 9 first:
- Go to Apple’s Beta Software Program page and click on the Sign up Button
- Sign in with your Apple ID and read the conditions of being a beta user
- Click accept
Once you have completed all of the above steps, it’s time to sit back and wait. Once the beta becomes available you will receive an email with instructions for how to install iOS 9. As stated on the beta program page, if you have an issue that you need fixed send your report directly to Apple via the built-in Feedback Assistant app. However, if you are a developer (or don’t want to wait until July to test out the new iOS), signing up for early iOS release will be the same as it has always been. Simply register with Apple’s Developer Program and access the iOS 9 beta through your membership. The developer program has step-by-step instruction for getting your iPhone or iPad registered with a beta device, which we will briefly outline here:
- Go to the iOS Developer Site
- Sign up for an account ($99 for an annual membership)
- Click on the iOS 9 Beta link below the main menu and choose the device you want from the list they provide
- Once the file downloads, un-archive it on the desktop
- Choose your device in iTunes and hold the option (alt) key on a Mac
- Click on “Check for update”
- Pick the iOS 9 beta file form your desktop and restore your data from the backup
The more users who test out iOS 9, the more data Apple can gather to help refine the final release. Earlier this Spring Apple came out with the first iOS bet with the iOS 8.3, however that was nothing compared to what is yet to come. The iOS 9 beta will let you test out all of the new features Apple announced at WWDC. For the iPhone, this includes several upgrades. There is a battery-saving low power mode, enhanced security, as well as a more proactive Siri assistant that can display apps and music based on your taste and the time. There will also be new Apple apps such as the Flipboard-style news app that will combine all of your favorite media and updates to any older apps like the Notes and Maps. The new iOS 9 will also enhance the Apple Pay feature on your iPhone. If you have an iPad, you can expect improvement to QuickType keyboard system as well as the anticipated split screen option for multi-tasking.
