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How to install iOS 10.1 without a developer account or even a computer

Published Sep 22nd, 2016 10:10AM EDT
iPhone 7 Plus Bokeh Portrait
Image: Apple Inc.

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The iPhone 7 Plus has an amazing dual-lens camera that’s got a few neat tricks under the hood. One of them is the blur or “bokeh” effect that Apple demoed on stage during its iPhone 7 event in early September. The feature essentially lets you take stunning DSLR-like pictures on your iPhone 7 Plus, but the special portrait mode wasn’t ready in time for the iPhone 7 launch. That’s why your iPhone 7 Plus currently doesn’t support it.

The good news is that you can try it yourself right away as long as you’re willing to install iOS 10.1 beta 1, which was released on Wednesday for developers. Don’t have a developer account? We’ll show you how to install the new iOS 10.1 build anyway, and you won’t even need to connect your phone to a computer in order to do it.

DON’T MISS: 7 ways Apple’s iPhone 7 is much better than any Samsung phone

As always with betas, developers are the first to receive it. So if you’re enrolled in Apple’s beta program, you already have access to iOS 10.1 beta 1.

If you don’t, then you’ll be able to install it fairly easily, just as was the case with iOS 10 betas all summer long. You just need a special profile on your device that lets you install the iOS 10.1 developer beta 1 without any hassles. However, we’ll point out that a public beta is likely on the way, which would make it even easier to install the update.

That said, the public beta isn’t expected to be released until Friday. If you want to get your hands on this hot new feature right now, YouTube channel iCrackUriDevice has you covered. Check out the video at the end of this post for a detailed explanation of how to get iOS 10.1 developer 1 even if you don’t have a developer account.

Check this post if you want to learn more details about the iPhone’s brand new bokeh effect.

It’s likely that Apple will soon release iOS 10.1 to all supported device. But the special portrait mode will only be available on the iPhone 7 Plus, as Apple explained earlier this month.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.