Apple has released the first beta versions of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17.
The initial beta releases of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 are available exclusively to users registered in the developer beta testing programs, while public beta versions will be made available in July.
iOS 17 includes new features and refinements to the iPhone operating system including Contact Posters for the Phone app, a NameDrop feature that allows contacts to easily be exchanged like AirDrop, FaceTime video voicemail, live transcripts on standard phone voicemails, interactive widgets, Safari profiles, and more.
iPadOS 17 includes basically all of the same features from iOS 17, but also includes the ability to customize the iPad Lock Screen, interactive widgets, new Stage Manager options, the introduction of the Health app to the iPad, and more.
Early reports suggest the first betas are quite buggy, which is to be expected, and are therefore not appropriate for casual users to run. This is a developer beta after all, which means the release is intended for developers of apps, devices, accessories, webapps, etc, to begin testing with the new system software.
Users who are enrolled in the iOS and iPadOS beta testing programs can find iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 beta 1 available to download now from Settings > General > Software Update.
Technically speaking, anyone can download and install iOS 17 beta 1 and iPadOS 17 beta 1 onto their iPhone or iPad, respectively, if they have a registered Apple Developer account. The only requirement to have an Apple Developer account is paying the annual fee, which is about $100.
The public beta of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 will be available for free to any user who wishes to participate in the public beta testing program, starting next month.
The final version of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 is expected to launch in the fall.
