Many have been waiting for it since its announcement at WWDC this year, and now it’s finally available. We are talking about Apple iOS 11, and while the buggy first Developer Beta (now at Beta 2) was available for download, the first Public Beta (sans a few bugs) has finally arrived.
While we did try out the first developer beta, it was buggy to the core both on the iPad and the iPhone. With the second developer beta now out, things should be a bit more stable, on both the 2nd Developer Beta and the 1st Public Beta (one and the same). Those random app crashes that prevented it from being used as a daily driver also may have been fixed by now. So how do you sign up for one? And how do you upgrade your iPad or iPhone to Apple’s latest and greatest mobile operating system?
NOTE: Once you jump onto a Developer Beta or Public Beta, you will not be able to jump back to the standard, commercial (bug-free) version of iOS 11 that comes installed on your iPhone when you purchased it. To switch back you will:
1. Have to wait it out until the final commercial version of iOS 11 is announced and is rolled out in the form of an IPSW file.
2. Flash your device and use an iOS 10.3.2 ISPW file along with your old iOS 10.3.2 backup and switch to commercial iOS 10.3.2, and then upgrade to commercial iOS 11.
3. Need to have a matching backup to restore your device to either iOS 10 or iOS 11.
Now that you are aware of the consequences of switching to beta software, let move ahead.
Preparation:
Most important of all, you will need to have backed up your iPhone or iPad to your Mac or PC. This is needed if you want to restore your device to an earlier state with the commercial software and your files (photos, videos, app data, game saves etc). Without the “all-important” backup file (physically stored on your Mac or PC using the iTunes’ backup facility) you will be left stranded without your older data (in short, a brand new iPhone with nothing on it).
Before you jump into the next few steps and onto iOS 11, we recommend you download the IPSW (or commercial signed firmware file) for your iPhone or iPad device model from here.
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| The new App Store in iOS 11. |
Steps:
1. Firstly, you will need to sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program. You can do this by heading to the Apple Beta Software page and simply signing up using your Apple ID and becoming a member. Becoming a member means that you will receive a download link to a new configuration profile, one that will keep sending public beta releases to your device until you leave or exit the beta program.
2. Once signed in, follow the steps to receive a prompt to download the configuration profile, one that will instruct Apple’s software servers to send only Public Beta software releases to your device going forward.
3. Tap to download the configuration profile. Upon downloading (it takes a second) the device will prompt you to install it. Tap ‘Yes’ and your device prompt you for a restart.
4. Upon restarting you will not have new version of iOS 11 on board. Coming from iOS 10, you will have to head into the Settings app, then tap on General> Software Update. Upon checking with the server, you will now see a new update that reads “iOS 11 Public Beta”. Tap to download and then install. The device will restart and show the white Apple logo on a black background during the software installation.
NOTE: It is recommended that you keep your device in a cool place when this happens as iPhones have a tendency to heat up since there is a lot of data being moved around.
Upon restarting and rebooting you will now be greeted by lockscreen that looks and feels a lot different, with bolder characters beginning with the unlock keypad itself. Welcome to iOS 11 Public Beta. Hope you have a pleasant stay!
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