We reported recently that Apple could launch a public beta program for iOS. Last year when it unveiled OS X Yosemite it allowed members of the public to test the beta software before it was ultimately released for everybody. The company today announced that it is starting a beta program. It’s kicking things off with iOS 8.3. Interested users can sign up to test the beta firmware before it is released to the public later this year.
Apple makes no secret of the fact that it was helpful to receive feedback from public beta testers for OS X Yosemite. This is the reason why it is replicating that program for iOS as well.
A signup page is now live through which interested users with a compatible device can ask to beta test iOS 8.3. It is unclear if Apple will go with the first come first served method it adopted for OS X Yosemite public beta or whether it will only provide beta software to selected users.
Once a user is selected for the iOS beta program they will receive a package file that has to be installed so that their device is cleared for beta software. After that Apple will presumably seed iOS 8.3 to them. It brings new features like wireless CarPlay support, new emoji, and the usual slew of bug fixes and improvements.
Filed in . Read more about iOS 8.3 and OS X Yosemite.