Want to transition from the iOS 18 public beta to the iOS 18 developer beta? You can easily make this switch on your iPhone or iPad if you desire.

The primary advantage of opting for the iOS 18 developer beta is that you generally receive beta updates slightly earlier than the public beta, depending on Apple's release schedule. If you've installed the public beta but now want quicker access to new beta updates, switching to the developer beta will facilitate this.

It's crucial to note that the developer and public beta builds are usually identical, with the same build numbers. The public beta is typically released a short time after the developer beta. This delay can range from minutes to a day or two. The rationale for this delay is that public beta testers are often less technically inclined than developer beta testers, allowing any critical bugs to be identified and addressed before the same build is released to the public.

How to Switch from iOS 18 Public Beta to iOS 18 Developer Beta

This process is the same for both iOS 18 and iPadOS 18:

1. Visit http://ipnx.cn/link/fade9da1bfe1c47c92f4ac38c11d0d1b and enroll your Apple ID in the developer beta program.
2. On your iPhone or iPad running the iOS 18 public beta or iPadOS 18 public beta, open the "Settings" app.
3. Navigate to "General" and then to "Software Update".
4. Tap on "Beta Updates".
5. Choose "iOS 18 Developer Beta" or "iPadOS 18 Developer Beta" to select it instead of the Public Beta.
6. Go back to Software Update to see the developer beta available for download.

The developer beta will then be ready for installation on your device running iOS 18 or iPadOS 18.

Generally, it's considered safer to stay on the public beta, as any major issues are typically identified by developers before reaching the public. However, if the current build is particularly problematic, installing the latest developer beta might be preferable.

You can also use this method to switch from the developer beta to the public beta, though there's usually little reason to do so, as the developer beta is updated more frequently.

What’s the difference between the public beta and developer beta?

The main distinction between Apple's public beta and developer beta programs lies in their target audience and the level of technical expertise required, as well as the timing of their availability. The developer beta is released first, aimed at software developers and advanced users to ensure app compatibility and utilize new features. Accessing the developer beta requires an Apple Developer Program membership, which is free to join but incurs a fee for App Store submissions.

The public beta, available shortly after the developer beta, is free to the general public. It targets tech-savvy users, not necessarily developers, to gather broader feedback and identify any remaining issues before the official release. Public betas are generally more stable than initial developer betas, though both are pre-release software and may contain bugs.

While the build versions of developer and public betas are usually the same, their version numbers differ. For instance, iOS 18 developer beta 3 might have the same build version as iOS 18 public beta 1, but with different labels and version numbers.

You can switch between the public and developer betas at any time, and both can be updated to the final version when it's released.

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