Want to try public beta. How to go back to official firmware?

[Sensamic]

Never tried a public beta. What do I have to do to:

1. Go back to iPadOS 18? Just restore my backup? But I could lose recent pictures, etc.

2. Update to the official iPadOS 26 release in september. Will the golden master release be the same? Will I need to do something to go back out of beta software?

Thanks!

 

[BigBlur]

1. Go back to iPadOS 18? Just restore my backup? But I could lose recent pictures, etc.

Put your iPad in Recovery Mode and restore the OS, then restore your backup. You won't be able to restore a backup made with iPadOS 26...so yes, you do lose some data unless it's synced to iCloud.

2. Update to the official iPadOS 26 release in september. Will the golden master release be the same? Will I need to do something to go back out of beta software?

Turn off the beta updates. The GM is usually the same, but not always.

Apple Beta — FAQ

beta.apple.com

 

[papbot]

Never tried a public beta. What do I have to do to:

1. Go back to iPadOS 18? Just restore my backup? But I could lose recent pictures, etc.

2. Update to the official iPadOS 26 release in september. Will the golden master release be the same? Will I need to do something to go back out of beta software?

Thanks!

This is Apple’s instructions for this. Basically, if you have a mac that’s up to date, just connect the device and when it appears in Finder just select “Restore”. Follow the instructions from there. Make certain you had a backup, from what I understand when you restore that backup it will ask if you want to use the last ios 18 backup or the ios 26 one that may have been made since you updated. That’s if restoring from an iCloud backup. You can also make a backup to the computer while still on ios 18, make an archive of that backup, then when you get to the restore step select that archived backup once ios 18 has been installed on your device. There’s no mention of putting the device in Recovery Mode first.

Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings using a computer - Apple Support

A factory restore erases the information and settings on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod and installs the latest version of iOS, iPadOS, or iPod software.

support.apple.com