What do I need to know about using the beta version of iOS?

[gwhizkids]

It’s not about gate keeping, it’s about giving a honest advice. We don’t gate-keep, we aren’t Apple, we don’t hinder anyone from installing an OS or App version, that could render a device temporarily unusable or even permanently corrupt their iCloud backups, save games, app settings, etc.

Anyway, if you scroll through the iOS17,16,15… forum sections or release notes, you’ll find multiple reasons why someone should not install a dev or public beta on his primary or sole iOS device.

E.g. the currently malfunctioning CarPlay could be one reason to not install the beta, if someone minds having no navigation or boring car rides for approx. 2 weeks till the next beta version release(in case they fix it there).

The usual Battery drain could be another reason, if someone highly depends of being reachable through the whole day.

The overall device down time, between having issues, iOS rollback and backup restore, could be another reason.

What’s a few oddities for you, might be huge show stoppers for others, and the safest and honest advice to such a question is: Better not install!

And to cite Apple:
Beta operating system software should be installed only on devices and systems used for development and testing. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable. Make sure to install on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

Certainly for some users (inexperienced), this may be true. Anyone else: downgrading is simply an inconvenience.

None of this counsels not installing a beta if you know what you are doing.

Let’s cut the drama, shall we?

 

[Cinimod1000]

It’s not about gate keeping, it’s about giving a honest advice. We don’t gate-keep, we aren’t Apple, we don’t hinder anyone from installing an OS or App version, that could render a device temporarily unusable or even permanently corrupt their iCloud backups, save games, app settings, etc.

Anyway, if you scroll through the iOS17,16,15… forum sections or release notes, you’ll find multiple reasons why someone should not install a dev or public beta on his primary or sole iOS device.

E.g. the currently malfunctioning CarPlay could be one reason to not install the beta, if someone minds having no navigation or boring car rides for approx. 2 weeks till the next beta version release(in case they fix it there).

The usual Battery drain could be another reason, if someone highly depends of being reachable through the whole day.

The overall device down time, between having issues, iOS rollback and backup restore, could be another reason.

What’s a few oddities for you, might be huge show stoppers for others, and the safest and honest advice to such a question is: Better not install!

And to cite Apple:
Beta operating system software should be installed only on devices and systems used for development and testing. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable. Make sure to install on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

Goodness me. It’s a smartphone, the world’s not going to end running a beta.
Like gwhizkids said above, install and have some fun.
But DO backup (and archive that backup) on your Mac, just in case you do need to go back to the current release version because something you need does not work. Google is your friend and so are places like Imore.com.
I have too been doing this for at least a decade now and enjoy following along in these forums. This year I reverted to iOS 16 because I am moving across the USA to Virginia and thought I ought be on a release version for maps, banking, etc. But that would be boring wouldn’t it!!! So, next night back on the beta train…… I can always use the wife’s iPhone if need be.
Enjoy, ignore the naysayers- life is short 😜

 

[triton100]

Goodness me. It’s a smartphone, the world’s not going to end running a beta.
Like gwhizkids said above, install and have some fun.
But DO backup (and archive that backup) on your Mac, just in case you do need to go back to the current release version because something you need does not work. Google is your friend and so are places like Imore.com.
I have too been doing this for at least a decade now and enjoy following along in these forums. This year I reverted to iOS 16 because I am moving across the USA to Virginia and thought I ought be on a release version for maps, banking, etc. But that would be boring wouldn’t it!!! So, next night back on the beta train…… I can always use the wife’s iPhone if need be.
Enjoy, ignore the naysayers- life is short 😜

Is it not enough to have backed it up in iCloud via wifi?

 

[gwhizkids]

Is it not enough to have backed it up in iCloud via wifi?

No. Because a backup done that way will be overwritten the first time your phone backs itself up once you are on iOS 17. And you cannot use an iOS 17 backup to restore your phone to iOS 16.

The key is to have an iOS 16 backup stashed away safe so that if you need to go back you’ll have all your data waiting for you to restore in a format that can be read by iOS 16.

 

[CopyChief]

No. Because a backup done that way will be overwritten the first time your phone backs itself up once you are on iOS 17. And you cannot use an iOS 17 backup to restore your phone to iOS 16.

The key is to have an iOS 16 backup stashed away safe so that if you need to go back you’ll have all your data waiting for you to restore in a format that can be read by iOS 16.

Yes, iCloud backup is enough if you turn off iCloud backups on the devices you're running beta software. That's what I do, and it has worked brilliantly when I've had to restore.

 

[one more]

What's with all the doom-and-gloom in this thread? Some people are really eager to gatekeep iOS betas over here just because someone isn't as technical as them...

I've been putting dev beta 1 on my daily driver phone for over a decade now, the last time I had actually serious issues was on iOS 7 (!), and even then it was nothing a restore couldn't fix.

Back up your data before upgrading, prepare to encounter a few oddities here and there, and go try out the new features. If it's good enough for public beta, it's good enough for the average enthusiast.

Let’s not generalise, as we were replying to the OP asking for advice. I personally love running betas on my main devices, learning about all the changes and new features on the fly. However, I am also skilled enough to spend some time and energy if things go wrong. As the OP is not me, I simply highlighted to her my concerns re: third party apps and battery life. Otherwise, all the iOS/iPadOS 17 glitches I have come across so far were just some minor niggles, not worthy reverting back to iOS 16 over them. Geeking on… 😉🖐️

 

[gwhizkids]

Yes, iCloud backup is enough if you turn off iCloud backups on the devices you're running beta software. That's what I do, and it has worked brilliantly when I've had to restore.

That’s not a smart idea however. Easier yes. Smart no.

 

[CopyChief]

That’s not a smart idea however. Easier yes. Smart no.

Why not? I don’t make a lot of changes to my devices when I’m on a beta. That way I can always go back and I don’t lose much. The critical stuff - photos, music, etc. - is backed up separately.

 

[triton100]

No. Because a backup done that way will be overwritten the first time your phone backs itself up once you are on iOS 17. And you cannot use an iOS 17 backup to restore your phone to iOS 16.

The key is to have an iOS 16 backup stashed away safe so that if you need to go back you’ll have all your data waiting for you to restore in a format that can be read by iOS 16.

Thanks. Am a bit nervous now as I only backed it up using iCloud and am now on ios17. Anything I can do for piece of mind?

 

[one more]

Thanks. Am a bit nervous now as I only backed it up using iCloud and am now on ios17. Anything I can do for piece of mind?

Why nervous? So far we have not heard of iOS 17 rendering any devices unusable, so I would just enjoy going through the rest of the beta cycle, as we will probably have 5-6 more weekly betas starting from this week. Beta running should be fun! ✌️

 

[gwhizkids]

Why not? I don’t make a lot of changes to my devices when I’m on a beta. That way I can always go back and I don’t lose much. The critical stuff - photos, music, etc. - is backed up separately.

Do you have an Apple Watch? Do you log health data? You would lose anything you logged on the beta.

Listen: you can do what you want and you’re right, the risk is not what it once was. But it’s not zero either.

 

[CopyChief]

Do you have an Apple Watch? Do you log health data? You would lose anything you logged on the beta.

Listen: you can do what you want and you’re right, the risk is not what it once was. But it’s not zero either.

Point taken. I should have clarified that I only leave iCloud backup off until I’m confident with the stability of the betas. Once I feel good (or if I jump on the watch beta and know that going back isn’t feasible) I turn it back on.

 

[triton100]

Why nervous? So far we have not heard of iOS 17 rendering any devices unusable, so I would just enjoy going through the rest of the beta cycle, as we will probably have 5-6 more weekly betas starting from this week. Beta running should be fun! ✌️

Ok cheers