Apple Launches iOS 18 Public Beta 1: Interested Users Can Upgrade to iOS 18 Early

Apple has already released three iOS 18 developer preview versions, and now the first public beta version is also available. The public beta version is essentially the same as the developer preview version, with the only differences being the name and the release timing.

For instance, the iOS 18 Dev Beta 3 released last week is the same as today's iOS 18 Public Beta 1, with both versions carrying the build number 22A5307i.

This means that Apple first releases new versions for developers to test, and if no major issues are found, they are then rolled out to general users who are participating in the public beta program about 1 to 2 weeks later.

However, it's worth mentioning that today Apple also re-released the iOS 18 Dev Beta 3 developer preview. This re-release has the same major version number as last week's release but a different minor version number. The specific differences are not yet clear.

For users interested in upgrading to iOS 18 early for a test run, you can join the testing program through Settings > General > Software Update after fully backing up your iPhone. You will then receive the iOS 18 update.

Important Notes:

Be sure to use iCloud, iTunes, or another third-party software to fully back up your iPhone. If you encounter problems after upgrading to iOS 18, you can use the backup to restore your device, avoiding the loss of all your data due to a direct device reset.

Here are the upgrade steps:

1. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
2. Tap on the Beta updates and select iOS 18 Public Beta.
3. Go back to Software Update and wait for the system to check for the iOS 18 Public Beta 1.
4. Once the update is received, download and upgrade.

The entire download and upgrade process may take more than 1 hour. It's recommended to perform the upgrade when you have free time and are connected to a power source. If you encounter any issues after upgrading, you can quickly restore from a backup. Of course, if they are minor issues you can tolerate, you may continue to experience iOS 18.