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Apple releases iOS 18 public beta: What’s new, eligible iPhone models, and more | Technology News

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The iOS 18 public beta offers an early preview of upcoming apps, features, and technologies. However, it is not a general release and may contain bugs and system inconsistencies.

iOS 18 Public Beta
iOS 18 public beta

Raw Shivam New Delhi

Apple has released the first public beta of its upcoming iOS 18 operating system for eligible iPhone models. The public beta offers an early preview of upcoming Apple apps, features, and technologies. In the first public beta, Apple previews Lock screen customization options, new Control Center features, an improved Messages app, and a redesigned Photos app.

It should be noted that the iOS 18 public beta is not a general release. It is an early version for testing purposes, so users who want to update to the public beta of the new operating system should expect stability and performance issues on their device.

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iOS 18 Public Beta: How to Download and Install

  • Sign up for the public beta on Apple’s website (https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram/)
  • On your iPhone, go to Settings-General-Software Update
  • Click Beta Updates and select iOS 18 Public Beta
  • Go back to the Software Update page and wait for the download file to appear
  • Accept Apple’s terms and conditions and start the download process
  • The installation will start after downloading
  • Note: Before installing the beta version, back up your iPhone.

iOS 18 Public Beta: Eligible iPhone Models

  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation or newer)

iOS 18 Public Beta: What’s New

Customizing your home screen

With iOS 18, iPhone users get new ways to customize their home screen. Apple now lets you place app icons and widgets anywhere on your home screen. Additionally, users can now add a color tint to app icons on the home screen for a more personalized look. Users can also choose a new Dark Mode option, which essentially darkens most of the app icons on your home screen.

Lock screen control

In iOS 18, users can customize two controls that appear on the iPhone’s lock screen. Previously, Apple only offered a flashlight control and a camera button on the lock screen. Additionally, dynamic wallpapers are available on the lock screen.

Control Center

Apple offers extensive customization options in Control Center. Users can now completely reorganize the Control Center layout and even add multiple pages for additional controls.

RCS Support

Apple is adding support for RCS (Rich communication services) messages on iPhones in the Messaging app. This improves cross-platform messaging between iPhones and Android smartphones with features like read receipts, typing indicator, high-resolution media sharing, and more. RCS support on iPhones running iOS 18 betas is currently limited to select regions.

The news

In addition to RCS support, Apple is adding more features to the Messages app in iOS 18. Users can now add text effects to individual words in a message, including the option to zoom in, zoom out, shake, wave, jitter, and more. The Tapback system for responding to messages with emojis has also been updated. Apple has also added the option to schedule messages to deliver an already typed message at a later time.

iPhone Copy

With iOS 18, Apple is adding an iPhone mirroring option so users can display their iPhone screen on supported Macs. This feature allows for seamless interaction between devices, including receiving notifications and using drag-and-drop without unlocking the iPhone.

Improved SharePlay

Apple has updated its SharePlay screen sharing feature, allowing users to draw on and control other people’s screens during shared sessions, making it easier to communicate and collaborate effectively.

New Photos App

With a complete redesign of the Photos app on iPhone, Apple has made it easier to access and organize your memories with a smart collections feature.

Safari browser

With iOS 18, the Safari browser is gaining a new Highlights feature that Apple says uses machine learning to deliver the most important information from the webpage you’re about to visit.

Other Features

Other notable features coming to iPhones running iOS 18 include a new Passwords app to store and access all your saved passwords, a new Gaming mode that minimizes background activity to improve your gaming experience, new accessibility features like eye-tracking navigation, and improvements to native Apple apps like Maps, Journal, Notes, and more.