iOS 11 Developer Beta 7 Is Now Available to Download

Just a week after seeding the sixth beta, Apple has made iOS 11 beta 7 available to developers for download, along with beta updates for macOS and tvOS. If you aren’t a developer, fear not. The same beta should be released on Apple’s free public beta within a day or two, which you can sign up for here. Just be warned that a beta is an experimental form of software and likely to have bugs that cause apps to crash, or worse.

Changes Made in iOS 11 Beta 7

iOS 11, which is Apple’s major software update for the year, has been in beta testing for several months now. However, it’s not likely that this specific beta is ushering in significant changes. The iPhone maker usually distributes betas every two weeks or so. The fact that beta 7 followed so quickly on the heels of beta 6 suggests that it is aimed at addressing minor glitches and bugs, and so far, no significant updates have been reported.

Beta 6 introduced adjustments and changes to the Notification Center, iPad multitasking, as well as new TV Provider placeholder listings.

In any case, the new mobile operating system promises sweeping changes to the iPad and several major updates for the iPhone (including a completely revamped Control Center that you can customize), both of which are due to drop sometime this fall. The finalized version will enable iPad users to drag and drop files and app icons, and provide a new multitasking interface. iOS 11 will also include a Dock, a bar of app shortcuts (some of which are intelligently suggested based on your past activity) that you can access from any screen with a swipe. The Files app will simplify app launches and document management, allowing you to browse, search, and organize all your files in one place.

Another highly anticipated upgrade is ARKit, which is Apple’s augmented reality developer kit. A bevy of game developers and companies have been working on creating ARKit-compatible apps. Not only will Pokemon Go gameplay become more realistic and sophisticated, shopping for furniture and clothing will become much easier as well. IKEA, for instance, has an AR shopping app in development that will allow you to see how its products look in your home before purchasing them.

iOS 11 will probably be released after the tenth-anniversary iPhone’s introduction in early September.