Apple Makes Developer Betas Free to Download and Install

[MacRumors]

Apple's developer betas have historically been limited to developers who have a paid account that costs $99 per year, but with the launch of the most recent betas, that's changing.

Anyone can now enroll in the free version of the Apple Developer program and get access to beta releases. All that's required to download betas is an Apple ID.

"OS beta releases" is now listed as an available resource even for those who are not members of the Apple Developer Program.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1666172861759860740

This change means that anyone with an Apple ID can download and install the iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma betas without waiting for the public betas to launch.

Of course, it is not a good idea to install these betas on a main device as there can be notable bugs and issues with early software. More information can be found on Apple's membership page.

Apple's decision to make betas free follows a beta installation change introduced in iOS 16. Apple began requiring an Apple ID linked with a developer membership to prevent people from using profiles and other means of getting the beta without being a registered developer. Apple will now be able to keep track of everyone who is installing the developer betas with the Apple ID link.

Article Link: Apple Makes Developer Betas Free to Download and Install

 

[sniffies]

At first I thought it was a glitch, a good glitch.

I installed anyway.

Good thing I didn’t rush to renew my membership.

 

[bbplayer5]

Wow, good on you Apple!

 

[vertsix]

This is an odd change.

 

[xhArRiSoNxD]

I never thought I would live to see the day. I remember splitting the bill of a developer profile with a couple friends just to run the beta. Before public betas.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

I still suspect that Apple did this rather than admit they goofed.

 

[mattopotamus]

damn them! I was going the free route and then yesterday the option to download the beta went away until I paid, grr. I can't complain though because I enjoyed the free ride for years.

 

[macmac30]

Apple, put a few resources on creating a beta testing program like Microsoft used to have. Anyone remember ClubWin? That would be a great way to build a base of enthusiasts/evangelists! I was the ClubWin member that started an uprising after MSFT added a popup in Win2000 that said "Are you sure you want to disconnect?" after you would right click on the telephone modem tray icon and choose the "Disconnect" on the menu. I argued that would be about 10,000 extra, needless clicks per year! All the testers agreed and MSFT removed it.

 

[2Xtreme21]

Wow! I bet someone F-ed up and they just decided to lean into it rather than fix the issue.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Good, but dear God let's not have developer forums spammed with "Y carnt Metroid crawl' posts...

 

[anthogag]

Why would Apple do this to public beta testers. Do they have confidence the dev beta is not too buggy, like a public beta?

 

[rorschach]

I wonder if this isn't just finally acknowledging reality. People who want the betas are going to find a way to get them. Might as well let them do it officially rather than going through sketchy websites, risking getting scammed, etc.

 

[jz0309]

cool, I might just go and install Sonoma ... currently on latest Ventura PB on my M1 MBA

 

[Mr. Dee]

I remember the days when OS X betas were developer only exclusives and devs at the conference showing their PowerBook G4’s running it. Apple’s traditional OS platforms are so pervasive now, there really isn’t anything to keep under wraps anymore. Vision OS is now the exclusive platform.

 

[Brad7]

For those that paid, on the plus side, you now have a lottery ticket for next year’s WWDC.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

The only thing I can think of... This will lead people to get on the beta train and the adoption rate of newer iOS will increase.

 

[mattopotamus]

Why would Apple do this to public beta testers. Do they have confidence the dev beta is not too buggy, like a public beta?

Personally, I have found them to be quite stable since around ios13. It used to be hell and not something you would want on a main device. The only bugs I experience now are an app crashing or weird UI glitches. All of my apps have been working for years running day 1 betas.

 

[Realityck]

damn them! I was going the free route and then yesterday the option to download the beta went away until I paid, grr. I can't complain though because I enjoyed the free ride for years.

Your not alone. Must have got enough sign ups from yesterday, so the next day hey it's free.

 

[G46&Fbnth5]

It worked even for iOS 16.5 and 16.6

 

[nutmac]

And for obligatory "is it stable enough as a daily driver" question, your mileage may vary of course. Aside from the battery draining faster than usual (to the tune of about 10% every hour), it's actually very stable for developer beta 1.

 

[Speedy iBadger]

How are they rolling this out? At the moment I am only getting the iOS 16 public beta.

 

[anthogag]

Personally, I have found them to be quite stable since around ios13. It used to be hell and not something you would want on a main device. The only bugs I experience now are an app crashing or weird UI glitches. All of my apps have been working for years running day 1 betas.

I haven't had any significant issues with public betas on all my devices since iPhone 11.

 

[kuwxman]

As a long time 'unofficial' developer beta tester, I welcome this news wholeheartedly. Thanks Apple!

iOS 17 DB downloading as we speak.

 

[Dionte]

Oh no, I must resist.

 

[Spaceboi Scaphandre]

God damn this has been the best WWDC ever. The good news just keeps coming. We desperately needed this after a year and a half of nonstop Ls