If you're keen to try out the new features and improvements in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, you can test beta versions of the software today. Keep reading to learn how to download and install it on your device.

iOS 16 mock for feature
With iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, Apple is introducing several new features and improvements, including a revamped Lock Screen, editing and undo features for Messages, new SharePlay features, an updated multitasking system for the iPad, and tons more.

When Apple announced iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, it also made developer betas immediately available to test on iPhone and ‌iPad‌. By nature, ‌a beta is pre-release software, so installing the software on a secondary device is highly recommended. The stability of beta software cannot be guaranteed, as it often contains bugs and issues that have yet to be ironed out, so installing it on your day-to-day device isn't advised.

Is iOS 16/iPadOS 16 Compatible With My Device?

Apple's list of compatible devices confirms that ‌iOS 16‌ is compatible with all of these iPhones:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 11
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS‌ Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XR
  • ‌‌iPhone‌‌ X
  • ‌‌iPhone‌‌ 8 and ‌‌iPhone‌‌ 8 Plus

The new version of iPadOS is also compatible with a wide range of older devices:

  • All ‌‌iPad‌‌ Pros
  • ‌iPad‌‌ (7th generation)
  • ‌iPad‌‌ (6th generation)
  • ‌iPad‌‌ (5th generation)
  • iPad mini 5
  • iPad Air (3rd generation)

Back Up Your iPhone or iPad First

Installing iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta shouldn't take longer than one hour, but before you do, be sure to create a backup of your device's contents and settings. The following step-by-step instructions explain how to back up an ‌‌iPhone‌ in macOS Catalina.

  1. Plug your ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or iPod touch into your Mac using the supplied cable.
  2. Open a Finder window by clicking the Finder icon in the Dock.
  3. Click your iOS device's name in the sidebar.
    finder

  4. If this is the first time connecting your device to your Mac, click Trust in the Finder window.
    finder

  5. Tap Trust on your device when prompted, then enter your passcode to confirm.
  6. In the General tab, click the circle next to where it says Back up all of the data on your [iPhone/iPad/iPod touch] to this Mac.

  7. If you don't want to create an encrypted backup, or you've already set up encrypted backups, click Back Up Now at the bottom of the General tab.
    finder

When the backup is finished, you can find the date and time of the last backup in the General tab, just above the Manage Backups button.

How to Install iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 Developer Betas

To download and install the iOS 16 developer beta, you need to have a developer account, which is a paid membership. If you don't have one yet, you can sign up here.

  1. On your ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌, head to Apple's Developer Program enrollment website.
  2. Tap the two-line icon in the top-left corner of the page and select Account to sign in.
    1install ios 16 beta

  3. Once you're signed in, tap the two-line icon again and select Downloads.
  4. Swipe down and tap Install Profile under iOS 16 beta or iPadOS 16 beta.
    2install ios 16 beta

  5. Tap Allow to download the profile, then tap Close.
  6. Launch the Settings app on your iOS device and tap Profile Downloaded, which should appear under your Apple ID banner.
  7. Tap Install in the top-right corner of the screen.
    3install ios 16 beta

  8. Enter your passcode.
  9. Tap Install in the top-right corner to agree to the consent text, then tap Install again when prompted.
  10. Tap Done, then tap General in the top-left corner of the screen.
  11. Tap Software Update.
  12. Tap Download and Install.
  13. Tap Install Now.

The update is about 5GB in size, so you'll have to wait a while for it to download, but once it does, your device will restart and automatically install iOS 16 or iPadOS 16.

If you come across any issues installing the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 Public Beta, it may help to clear any previous profiles lingering on your device. You can find these in the Settings app under General -> Profile.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

maxresdefault

Apple to Launch New iPad Pro and iPad Air Models in May

Thursday March 28, 2024 11:07 am PDT by
Apple will introduce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models in early May, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Gurman previously suggested the new iPads would come out in March, and then April, but the timeline has been pushed back once again. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple is working on updates to both the iPad Pro and iPad Air models. The iPad Pro models will...
General Apps Messages

Google Reveals When to Expect RCS Support on iPhone for Improved Texting With Android Users

Friday March 29, 2024 7:14 am PDT by
In November, Apple announced that the iPhone would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS (Rich Communication Services) in the Messages app starting "later" in 2024, and Google has now revealed a more narrow timeframe. In a since-deleted section of the revamped Google Messages web page, spotted by 9to5Google, Google said that Apple would be adopting RCS on the iPhone in the "fall...
airtag new orange

Criminals in Montreal Using AirTags to Steal Vehicles

Friday March 29, 2024 12:50 pm PDT by
Thieves in Montreal, Canada have been using Apple's AirTags to facilitate vehicle theft, according to a report from Vermont news sites WCAX and NBC5 (via 9to5Mac). Police officers in Burlington, Vermont have issued a warning about AirTags for drivers who recently visited Canada. Two Burlington residents found Apple AirTags in their vehicles after returning from trips to Montreal, and these...
top stories 30mar2024

Top Stories: WWDC 2024 Announced, New iPads Delayed, and More

Saturday March 30, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
Apple's WWDC 2024 dates have been announced, giving us timing for the unveiling of the company's next round of major operating system updates and likely some other announcements. This week also saw some disappointing news on the iPad front, with update timing for the iPad Pro and iPad Air pushed back from previous rumors. We did hear some new tidbits about what might be coming in iOS 18 and...
iphone 16 cases sonny dickson 1

First iPhone 16 Cases Outline New Rear Vertical Camera Bump

Friday March 29, 2024 4:09 am PDT by
Photos of the first iPhone 16 cases have been shared online, offering another preview of the rumored new vertical rear camera arrangement on the standard iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus. Image credit: Accessory leaker Sonny Dickson Over the last few months, Apple has been experimenting with different camera bump designs for the standard iPhone 16 models, all of which have featured a vertical ...
Apple iPhone 15 Pro spatial video capture lifestyle

$3 App Shoots Better Quality Spatial Video Than iPhone's Camera App

Friday March 29, 2024 4:48 am PDT by
A $3 third-party app can now record spatial video on iPhone 15 Pro models in a higher resolution than Apple's very own Camera app. Thanks to an update first spotted by UploadVR, Spatialify can now record spatial videos with HDR in 1080p at 60fps or in 4K at 30fps. In comparison, Apple's native Camera app is limited to recording spatial video in 1080p at 30fps. Shortly after Apple's Vision ...