Apple today began releasing the first public beta of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to public testers. The first public beta comes one day after Apple released an updated third iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 developer beta on Tuesday, July 11. Apple also released the first public beta builds for macOS 14 Sonoma and watchOS 10.
iOS 17 introduces several major new features and changes to iOS, including a complete redesign of the call screen for friends and family, Messages and FaceTime enhancements, interactive widgets, all-new keyboard autocorrect, and more.
iPadOS 17 brings new lock screen widgets, customization options, and Live Activities first introduced with iOS 16 to the iPad, in addition to a new lock screen widgets layout when the iPad is placed in landscape mode. The Health app also comes to the iPad for the first time ever, in addition to numerous enhancements to Stage Manager, Notes, and Freeform apps.
Non-developers who would like to download and install public betas for iOS 17 and other software releases should sign up with Apple Beta Software Program through its official website, which briefly went down for maintenance last week likely in preparation for today’s public beta release. Those who signed up will see a new iOS 17 Public Beta option on their devices under Settings -> General -> Software Update that allows users to opt into receiving public beta updates.
