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Apple Makes Developer Betas Free to Download and Install

MacRumors said:
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.
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“ButWhoCares!!”

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MacRumors said:


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.

apple-developer-banner.jpeg

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.


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
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I noticed the change somewhere after one of the public beta updates. But didn’t bite until today. Fun so far.
 
I updated to this because 16.5 made my typing laggy as hell. I saw tons of people saying no issue on their main daily driver.

My keyboard is now fully functional but my cell service does not work. Maybe this was not a great idea lol.
 
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sniffies said:
At first I thought it was a glitch, a good glitch.

I installed anyway.

Good thing I didn’t rush to renew my membership.
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exactly what we all thought…made a full 16.5 backup on my MBP ‘cause I was worried they’d patch it by 2nd beta and my phone would be screwed 😂 (good to make a backup on the last stable release when diving into a dev beta anyway, but I digress)
 
mattopotamus said:
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.
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I agree, I would even say the first betas have been somewhat more stable than usual since iOS 12. iOS 11 and before were supper buggy but I think more recently, the first betas have been more stable because iOS has been adding features that aren't as intense or have been easier to code since the first 11 iOSs
 
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After my sub expired, I could still download everything, so no change as I see it.... I updated all my devices to the new stuff. No big benefits, but no real bugs so far either which is better than usual.
 
cashville2400 said:
I updated to this because 16.5 made my typing laggy as hell. I saw tons of people saying no issue on their main daily driver.

My keyboard is now fully functional but my cell service does not work. Maybe this was not a great idea lol.
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Oh gosh lol. Maybe try a restart? Toggling airplane mode?
 
Got the beta up and running with minimal issues. Installation took forever tho.
 
rorschach said:
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.
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Probably.

Also, Apple must be desperate to get the QA process “improved” by lifting the paywall on the dev program to incentivise more input from larger numbers of users.

Apple aren’t really innovating hugely in iPhone or iPad hw or sw these days.

Just one big bugfest.
 
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cashville2400 said:
I updated to this because 16.5 made my typing laggy as hell. I saw tons of people saying no issue on their main daily driver.

My keyboard is now fully functional but my cell service does not work. Maybe this was not a great idea lol.
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Cellular connectivity has been patchy in 16.5 in my experience. With 4G, if there’s not a full signal then speed drops and latency increases disproportionately vs the reduction in signal strength. Frustrating.
 
What if directions change on a street and nobody is informed?
Spotting bugs, you can never have enough testers with all the hardware macOS is run on, especially with a new architecture.

How about a whooping 40 degrees celcius summer in for e.g. Europe?

It like it, why pay 100 bucks for a beta and/or be able to release a Free application.

Maybe call it ;Sun4more; (curly quotes gone somehow)

0,006 cents
V
 
Of course you have to have a relatively new computer to run the latest Xcode and Swift o_O
 
Awesome move by Apple. People are going to get it anyway, might as well open it up. I’ve never been a developer but have been running beta 1’s since iOS 5. I know the risks, I know there can be issues and NOT ONCE have I gone to apple about it. I understand I’m in the minority on that probably, but people are gonna get it either way
 
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