Apple released the public betas for its next generation of software on the iPhone, Mac, iPad and Apple Watch on Monday. You can now test out iOS 18 and many of its new features, except for Apple Intelligence, which is coming to beta this fall, and provide feedback to Apple.
Anyone interested in trying out Apple’s upcoming software upgrades can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program on its website. There you can enroll your device to access early versions of these features. iOS 18 includes several new customization options for your Home Screen. For instance, you can now place app icons and widgets wherever you’d like on your iOS Home Screen, and give all of them a colored tint.
Other features you can check out in the iOS 18 beta is the iPhone’s completely new layout for the Photos app. The Messages app is also getting new features, including the ability to use Tapbacks with any emoji or sticker you’d like. In Wallet, the iOS 18 beta will allow early access to Tap to Cash, where Apple users can touch devices together to make in-person payments.
Once you’re finished trying out the iOS 18 beta, you can restore a previously released OS version by following Apple’s instructions here. The company notes you can only roll back to an older software on the iPhone, iPad and Mac. You’ll have to stick with the beta version on the Apple Watch until iOS 18 officially rolls out in the fall.
One feature we’re particularly excited to try in the iOS 18 beta is the ability to say “yes” or “no” to Siri by nodding your head while wearing AirPods Pros (you’ll need the 2nd generation for this one). This feature was unveiled during Apple’s Worldwide Developer’s Conference in June.
Another feature that caught everyone’s attention during WWDC was Apple Intelligence, the iPhone maker’s answer to our current AI craze. It will not be available in today’s public beta release. When it does come out, it will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
