Apple iOS 15: What you should know before installing the public beta version

Apple has just released the first public beta version of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8. These updates are the next major upgrades to the operating systems of the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. Apple moved away from the regular practice of releasing beta versions to developers only by making them available for everyone to download.

The final versions of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8 will still be released this September, according to Apple. From June, though, Apple plans to deliver betas every several weeks. It’s a good technique to remove as many problems as possible while also collecting data from a large and diverse number of people.

The most significant update in iOS 15 is the addition of a new Focus mode which enables you to choose which apps and individuals you want to receive notifications from. You can also adjust your focus depending on what you’re doing, The Focus mode also allows you to create a “Do not disturb” mode, a Work mode, a Sleep mode, a Workout mode, and so on.

Features to look forward to in iOS 15

There are definitely a lot of features to be excited about in the coming iOS 15 and here are some of them.

1. Focus

Focus is a new capability in iOS 15 that helps users reduce distraction. A Focus can filter alerts and Home Screen pages based on what a user wants to focus on at any given time while allowing urgent messages to get through.

2. Redesigned Notification Tab

There’s also a new customized notification summary that collects non-urgent notifications and delivers them at a more convenient time, such as in the morning or evening. People’s contact photographs will now appear in notifications, and app icons will be larger to make them simpler to identify.

3. Facetime Links

FaceTime links can be used to access the FaceTime software on Apple devices. They can also be used to access FaceTime via a web browser, bringing FaceTime to Android and Windows for the first time. Users can now send a link to a FaceTime call using Messages, Calendar, Mail, or other third-party apps.

4. Enhanced Maps

An interactive globe view and greatly expanded details in a new 3D view for cities are now available on Maps. Neighbourhoods, business areas, elevations, buildings, and other features have also been enhanced to include new road colours and labels, custom-designed landmarks, and a new “moonlit” night mode.

5. Improved Camera

Panorama mode on the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro has been updated to better catch moving subjects while also minimizing image noise and banding.

6. Advanced Health App

The health app in iOS 15 now features a new sharing tab that allows users to share their health data with family or guardians. Descriptions, highlights and the ability to pin test results for quick access have also been added.

Other improved apps include Widgets, Music, Podcasts, Siri, and Apple Pay. iOS 15 supports older devices like the iPhone 6s, iPhone SE right up to the newer generation like the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 12 pro.

What to watch out for before Downloading iOS 15 Beta

The Beta version can be downloaded at beta.apple.com but keep in mind that you shouldn’t put a beta on your main iPhone or iPad.

The difference between a normal version and the beta is that with the normal version, apps and softwares are available to all users. The app is available to all users on the marketplace.

Beta apps are usually not available to all users as they are only available to a select number of people who wish to participate in beta testing.

Third- Party Apps Issues

Compatibility with third-party software is another typical issue. One of the main reasons Apple publishes the beta of new operating systems is to allow developers to test their apps with the new features.

Developers will only update their apps when iOS 15 is released in stable form, and they are under no compulsion to do so sooner.

Bugs Issues

With the beta version of a software, you never know what defects and performance difficulties to expect. But there are a few fairly regular concerns which include lower battery life than usual, operating system failures, home screen crashes, iCloud errors, and more.

Beta software can, in rare situations, damage your device and render it unusable. It’s possible that you’ll lose data in iCloud. Not only are there issues, but several apps and functionalities will not operate at all. Therefore you must proceed with utmost caution. This is because beta versions are used to test run and collect data from the users.

As a result, before you decide to install the iOS 15 public beta on your devices, make sure you have a recent backup. If you need to downgrade to iOS 14, having a current backup guarantees that you lose as little data as possible.

Apple’s public beta program website includes a disclaimer that betas will have problems and faults and should not be installed on primary devices.

“Please note that since the public beta software has not yet been commercially released by Apple, it may contain errors or inaccuracies and may not function as well as commercially released software. Be sure to back up your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch and your Mac using Time Machine before installing beta software. Since Apple TV purchases and data are stored in the cloud, there’s no need to back up your Apple TV. Install the beta software only on non-production devices that are not business critical. We strongly recommend installing on a secondary system or device, or on a secondary partition on your Mac.”

Conclusion

If you happen to have an extra iPhone or iPad lying around, it’s always a good idea to test the betas on one of those instead of your primary device. Install the betas on a spare device to check for bugs and compatibility concerns with your favourite features and apps before deciding whether or not to update your primary device.

The iOS 15 beta is quite stable in the end, but it’s crucial to remember that the experience will not be flawless. There will be bugs, glitches, crashes, and other issues. However, if you’re looking for a thrill and can’s wait to try out the latest Apple OS, the public beta is for you.

You should only download if you’re ready to share your experience with developers and not because you want to have a taste of new features. You might end up damaging your phone.