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Apple’s first iOS 14 public beta now available to download

Published Jul 9th, 2020 1:14PM EDT
iOS 14 public beta
Image: Apple

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  • Apple rolled out the first public betas for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 on Thursday.
  • Apple announced iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference on June 22nd, and launched the first developer beta shortly after the keynote address.
  • Final versions of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 will release alongside the iPhone 12 this fall.

Just days after releasing the second developer beta for iOS 14, Apple opened testing to the public on Thursday with the release of the first iOS 14 public beta. As long as you’re signed up for Apple’s beta program, you can experiment with all of the new features of the upcoming software update on your iPhone right now.

iOS 14 features hundreds of changes and improvements, but some of the highlights include a refreshed home screen with customizable widgets, an App Library where you can easily find any app installed on your phone, new Picture-in-Picture support, a fresh new look for Messages, App Clips, and a Translate app. iPadOS 14 also adds new sidebars to apps, improved search functionality, and handwriting recognition with Scribble to iPad.

The final versions of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 will launch alongside the new iPhone 12 models this fall, but if you don’t want to wait that long, you can download the public beta today and try it out for yourself. Just remember that this is an early version of the software, and you’re likely to run into the occasional bug.

In order to participate in public betas, you need to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program on Apple’s website. If you’re wondering whether or not your device is compatible with iOS 14 or iPadOS 14, we put together a full list below that contains every compatible device. If your device is on there, you’re good to go:

  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone 8
  • iPhone 8 Plus
  • iPhone 7
  • iPhone 7 Plus
  • iPhone 6s
  • iPhone 6s Plus
  • iPhone SE (1st generation)
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation)
  • iPod touch (7th generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)
  • iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation)
  • iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation)
  • iPad Pro 10.5-inch
  • iPad Pro 9.7-inch
  • iPad (7th generation)
  • iPad (6th generation)
  • iPad (5th generation)
  • iPad mini (5th generation)
  • iPad mini 4
  • iPad Air (3rd generation)
  • iPad Air 2

As we’re sure you know by now, installing a new iOS or iPadOS beta on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch couldn’t be easier. Just navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and then tap “Download and Install” at the bottom of that page. If you want, you can also install the update through iTunes by connecting your iOS device to a computer. Whichever method you choose, just make sure to back up your device before installing the update.

Jacob Siegal
Jacob Siegal Associate Editor

Jacob Siegal is Associate Editor at BGR, having joined the news team in 2013. He has over a decade of professional writing and editing experience, and helps to lead our technology and entertainment product launch and movie release coverage.