Using Apple beta software

Beta software, including previews and seeds, refers to a prerelease version of software that is not public and is still under development. As a developer, you can use beta software to start integrating the latest Apple technologies into your apps so that your apps are up to date once the software becomes available to the public.

Download

Xcode

Beta versions of Xcode include the latest toolset and SDKs for creating apps that run on upcoming releases of an operating system. Xcode betas are available to all developers on the download page. Apple Developer Program membership is not required.

Operating systems

The latest operating system releases for Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, and Apple TV are available on the download page. To download, you’ll need to sign in with your Apple ID associated with your Apple Developer Program membership.

Safari

Anyone can download the latest release of Safari Technology Preview to see upcoming web technologies in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Back up

iPhone, iPad, or

iPod touch

Before you install beta software, back up your device in iTunes, then archive the backup. You won’t be able to use an iCloud backup or one you didn’t archive if you need to go back to the current version of an operating system. To get a shipping release of a device, you can simply install the final version of the software you’re testing when it appears in Software Update. If you need to reinstall a previously released version, you can restore your device from your previously saved iTunes backup.

How to uninstall iOS beta software

Mac

Always back up your Mac computer before installing beta software. To get a public release of macOS on your Mac, you can simply install the final version of the software you’re testing when it appears in the Mac App Store. If you need to go back to a previously released version, you must first erase the beta software, then reinstall the latest public version of macOS, and finally restore from your Time Machine backup.

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery

Back up your Mac with Time Machine

Install

Beta operating system software should be installed only on devices and systems used for development and testing. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable. Make sure to install on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

Learn more about installing Apple beta software

Develop and test

Developer Mode

If you’re developing for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, or watchOS 9 or later, make sure to enable Developer Mode. This will let you grant permission to run locally-installed apps on these platforms — for example, when you perform a build-and-run in Xcode or install an .ipa file with Apple Configurator.

Learn more

Documentation

Documentation provided by Apple may contain preliminary information about a beta version of an API or technology in development. This information is subject to change, and your software implemented according to this documentation should be tested with final operating system software. For the most up-to-date information, be sure to read the release notes for the version of software that you’re using.

Technical support

Developer Technical Support (DTS) can help you determine if an issue you’re seeing using prerelease software is the result of your code or the software. First, test and confirm that the issue reproduces on the latest beta. If it does, submit the results of your testing via Feedback Assistant. Then submit a TSI in the Code-Level Support section of your account and include the Feedback ID number.

Please note that prerelease software changes rapidly. Technical guidance may become obsolete in subsequent releases, and from prerelease to final release. It’s important to test your app on each prerelease so you can identify any impact and so you can file feedback about issues you experience.

Learn how to request support

Apple Developer Forums

You can also find information or post about issues you encounter with your app’s code on the Apple Developer Forums.

View the forums

TestFlight

You can use TestFlight in App Store Connect to invite users to test your app running on a beta release of iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. TestFlight makes it simple to invite testers using just their email address and lets beta testers easily provide valuable feedback within the TestFlight app.

Get best practices for testing with beta software

Providing feedback

Feedback Assistant

If you encounter any problems with beta software or if you’d like to request enhancements to frameworks or API, please submit a report through Feedback Assistant. Make sure to include the build number in the bug title and description so your issue can be processed quickly.

View Feedback Assistant

Apple Beta Software Program

The iOS, iPadOS, and macOS public betas available through the Apple Beta Software Program come with the built-in Feedback Assistant app. If you’re running the tvOS public beta, you can submit feedback through the Feedback Assistant app on an enrolled iOS or iPadOS device. When you experience an issue or something doesn’t work as expected, send your feedback directly to Apple with Feedback Assistant.

Learn more about the Apple Beta Software Program

Submitting apps

Apps that are created using beta versions of Xcode or that are built for beta versions of an operating system will not be accepted on the App Store. Apps that you submit should be developed using the most up-to-date version of Xcode from the Mac App Store and should be built for publicly available versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS — except when Release Candidate seeds are available. When a Release Candidate of Xcode becomes available, use it to develop your app for submission. When Release Candidate seeds of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, or tvOS become available, build your app for these versions.