iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Let Developers and Public Beta Testers Opt in to Betas Directly From Software Update Settings

[MacRumors]

With the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 betas, those who are enrolled in Apple's developer program are able to turn on developer betas directly from the Software Update section in the Settings app.

This will eliminate the need to install a profile from the Developer Center in order to get developer betas, simplifying the beta downloading process. There is also an option for public beta testers as well who want to install updates with less hassle.

Under a new Beta Updates section, iPhone and iPad users can opt to enroll in the iOS 16 Developer Beta or the iOS 16 Public Beta track. Those who were already enrolled in a beta will have these options toggled on automatically.

Beginning with iOS & iPadOS 16.4 beta, members of the Apple Developer Program will see a new option to enable developer betas directly from Software Update in Settings. This new option will be automatically enabled on devices already enrolled in the program that update to the latest beta release. Your iPhone or iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program in order to see this option in Settings. In future iOS and iPadOS releases, this new setting will be the way to enable developer betas and configuration profiles will no longer grant access.

Note that to receive developer betas, a Developer Program Membership is required, and to use this feature, the iPhone or iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program.

Article Link: iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 Let Developers and Public Beta Testers Opt in to Betas Directly From Software Update Settings

 

[zaneliu]

There’s an option for something called a customer beta? Anyone else have any idea what that means?

 

[KurtWilde]

Cracking down on unauthorized Profiles

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Why do I have a feeling this is Apple's way to force people to pay a Developer Account $99 annual fee to not wait for the public beta? Am I wrong?

 

[iamdmann]

"lets"...this and the recent behavior forcing Siri activation does not strike me as classic apple behavior. the features are there. tell us once and the have the user choice be persistent across point updates. maybe every major version update, but I don't want to see a red notification bubble on my settings icon because I've chosen to disable 'listen for Siri' on my phone when I have fifty other devices on which Siri is already listening. anyone else really frustrated by this?

 

[Sunsster1988]

Why do I have a feeling this is Apple's way to force people to pay a Developer Account $99 annual fee to not wait for the public beta? Am I wrong?

You are right, Apple want's us to pay $99 to keep using Developer beta with this new feature.

 

[iOS Geek]

View attachment 2159746There’s an option for something called a customer beta? Anyone else have any idea what that means?

I’m going to guess that one is for those who get their betas from Apple’s “AppleSeed” website. If you go to the site, “customer” is the wording used. Then there’s the usual beta.apple.com for “public”.

Assuming so, anyway.

 

[I7guy]

Why do I have a feeling this is Apple's way to force people to pay a Developer Account $99 annual fee to not wait for the public beta? Am I wrong?

That’s exactly what it is. Enforce the TOS.

 

[Kkspire]

Why do I have a feeling this is Apple's way to force people to pay a Developer Account $99 annual fee to not wait for the public beta? Am I wrong?

Huh? The public beta is free if you just want to play. Developers with businesses are not the same thing. Sounds like you’re not a developer so you’ll be fine. 💘

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Huh? The public beta is free if you just want to play. Developers with businesses are not the same thing. Sounds like you’re not a developer so you’ll be fine. 💘

Correct! But the Public Beta is not available right away either. Thus, people that want to test out the latest iOS software would have to wait.

I also have a feeling, In the future, Apple may make the new features available to the $99 paying developer accounts. Sadly, It’s a money game. Simple as that!

 

[klasma]

There’s an option for something called a customer beta? Anyone else have any idea what that means?

In French, “bêta” means someone silly or stupid.

 

[anshuvorty]

This is the way it should've been from the beginning. Now, bring that same functionality to macOS!

 

[applepotato666]

Why do I have a feeling this is Apple's way to force people to pay a Developer Account $99 annual fee to not wait for the public beta? Am I wrong?

We can still download the IPSW and install it over iTunes so this is extremely unnecessary but likely what is going on. Not many people (really only a geeky fraction of customers) get betas through such loopholes and driving them away like this is counterproductive to the software development process. The people who so eagerly await updates and can't wait for the public beta so they go through the loopholes to test it are the ones who are actually passionate about it and can't wait to provide feedback. Gatekeeping with $99/year what's valuable testers who care about the platforms seems like a nonsensical move to me.

 

[KoToNaS]

what if dev account is separate Apple ID than personal?

 

[hovscorpion12]

THANK YOU APPLE!!!!

 

[d5aqoëp]

We will extract money whichever way possible!

 

[MacsRgr8]

Another step Apple is taking to enabling some form of management away from profiles into management via (Managed) Apple ID

 

[anthogag]

Public beta FTW 🤺

 

[anthogag]

Why do I have a feeling this is Apple's way to force people to pay a Developer Account $99 annual fee to not wait for the public beta? Am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong. Let the developers try it first to make sure it isn't problematic. I am in the public beta program. I can wait (usually) 1 or 2 days after developers get it.

 

[rorschach]

The purpose of betas is to test and provide feedback. How many non-developers who install the very early betas are actually providing meaningful feedback (specific reproduction steps, screenshots, logs, etc)?

Has nothing to do with money and everything to do with improving the quality of the feedback. Having thousands of random users submitting garbage feedback just increases the amount of reports engineers have to wade through and triage, which in turn takes time away from actually fixing bugs.

This will improve the quality of the software. If you just want to play around with new features, wait for the public beta.

 

[bigpoppa]

Correct! But the Public Beta is not available right away either. Thus, people that want to test out the latest iOS software would have to wait.

I also have a feeling, In the future, Apple may make the new features available to the $99 paying developer accounts. Sadly, It’s a money game. Simple as that!

Usually just the next day or so anyway.

 

[JCCL]

Those sites that used to sell UDID registrations are probably dancing in joy! They're back on business!!!

 

[Kieranrosevear]

Those sites that used to sell UDID registrations are probably dancing in joy! They're back on business!!!

It’s likely linked to the registered Apple ID this time around, but we’ll have to see!

 

[one more]

I think Apple are actually trying to simplify beta enrolling with it and potentially get more beta testers in. No need to install/uninstall a beta profile anymore. Looks good to me.

 

[ThemePro]

How does it work if you have a separate Apple ID for your developer account?