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

[compwiz1202]

Agree. Seems that they should be paying knowledgeable testers to provide valuable feedback on their software that will go out FREE to everyone at some point so as their experience would be better. But they need the money.

A lot of folks cannot or will not pay $99 to provide free testing for free software. Apple may step up the public testing timeline though to provide folks, who are not actually developing apps thus no need for a paid developer subscription, the ability to provide this feedback earlier in the cycle. Hence the dual switch in the settings.

Maybe they should have $10 Early Access but no developing permissions. It's not really once it gets going that's bad, it the time between the first betas of each.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Maybe they should have $10 Early Access but no developing permissions. It's not really once it gets going that's bad, it the time between the first betas of each.

Then that would be “money grubbing Apple forcing us to pay”.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Wondering the same thing.

From what I understand, it’s supposed to actually work as of the NEXT beta, so you’ll likely need the profile to install the next beta, but not after that.

 

[compwiz1202]

From what I understand, it’s supposed to actually work as of the NEXT beta, so you’ll likely need the profile to install the next beta, but not after that.

I wonder if they will purge current fake ones or you just won't be able to dev beta anymore for the next full OS upgrade without a $99 account.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I wonder if they will purge current fake ones or you just won't be able to dev beta anymore for the next full OS upgrade without a $99 account.

I don’t know if they’re purge fake ones… it just seems like, starting with the next release, the device won’t key off of a profile on the system, but instead connect to find out what your entitlements are and allow you to install based on that. Anyone that hadn’t formally signed up for the Public Beta will likely have to as that profile won’t allow them to get a beta.

Could be related to the work they’re doing to support the EU’s mandate?

 

[szw-mapple fan]

You technically only need to pay for the Dev Program if you’re submitting apps to the App Store. Anyone else can always and have always been able to join the Public Dev Program.

Exactly. If Apple starts charging for early access to the public beta it would just make it the same thing as the dev beta.

 

[WB2Colorado]

I wonder how the transition from iOS 16 betas to iOS 17 betas will work with this new system? Will there be another toggle in settings for iOS 17 when it releases or will you just start getting iOS 17 betas instead

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I wonder how the transition from iOS 16 betas to iOS 17 betas will work with this new system? Will there be another toggle in settings for iOS 17 when it releases or will you just start getting iOS 17 betas instead

I guess they could do it either way. But, it probably makes more sense to make folks turn it on after installing any new set of golden masters. Not just with 17, but with 16.5 through however many 16’s there will be, too.

 

[ProfessionalFan]

Apple’s doing folks a favor. They are FORCING them to think about all the valuable hours they put into an activity, for FREE, that others are getting paid for.

Most of the people installing betas while not being developers aren't submitting bug reports and doing actual beta testing though. So Apple isn't gaining anything from them except annoying support issues.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Most of the people installing betas while not being developers aren't submitting bug reports and doing actual beta testing though. So Apple isn't gaining anything from them except annoying support issues.

And Apple’s likely seen a lot of iPhones on betas at the store. Which, sure, fixing problems is what they’re there for, but I’m sure reducing self inflicted issues helps the bottom line.

 

[davidg4781]

Maybe they should have $10 Early Access but no developing permissions. It's not really once it gets going that's bad, it the time between the first betas of each.

I don't get the purpose of this?

Most of the people installing betas while not being developers aren't submitting bug reports and doing actual beta testing though. So Apple isn't gaining anything from them except annoying support issues.

I've submitted several reports. Usually they're small quirks or annoyances. All but one are listed as still open and no other reports.

On a side note, does anyone know if we still need to keep the developer profile installed after this update? I did the update, did an erase and restore (I wanted to do this anyway to see if it helped app performance) and the profile is still there.

 

[gank41]

I don't get the purpose of this?

I've submitted several reports. Usually they're small quirks or annoyances. All but one are listed as still open and no other reports.

On a side note, does anyone know if we still need to keep the developer profile installed after this update? I did the update, did an erase and restore (I wanted to do this anyway to see if it helped app performance) and the profile is still there.

I downloaded the .ipsw file and installed via Finder, enabled Developer Releases, all while not installing a profile. Straight from iOS 16.3.1 to 16.4

 

[davidg4781]

I downloaded the .ipsw file and installed via Finder, enabled Developer Releases, all while not installing a profile. Straight from iOS 16.3.1 to 16.4

Hmm. I'll remove the profile and hope for the best.

Can you confirm that a profile wasn't added on your phone without your knowledge?

 

[gank41]

Hmm. I'll remove the profile and hope for the best.

Can you confirm that a profile wasn't added on your phone without your knowledge?

Correct, no Apple Dev Profile

 

[davidg4781]

Correct, no Apple Dev Profile

Thanks. Let me back up and remove it.

 

[_Spinn_]

Seems like this will streamline the process.

 

[soundsgoodtome]

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

Done.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

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?

Because everything Apple does is to “force” someone to do “something?” Even when everyone has free will to, you know, just do what they want? It’s not like a beta release is either life threatening or life changing, it’s just a beta.

Apple’s also going to come out with new products to force people to pay for them. How DARE they.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

The last time I had to wait for a public beta, my left arm became a perturbed honey badger, all of the purple objects in my house jumped one foot to the left (surprising the badger), and my petunias starting thinking “Oh no, not again!” One would THINK Apple would release the public beta simultaneously so that I can AVOID these situations.