You don't have to wait until the release of the iOS 17 public beta to try out the newest version of Apple's iPhone software; the company claims it will be available in July. There is already an iOS 17 developer beta available, and this year there don't appear to be any limitations on who may download it.
In past years, accessing developer betas required that you be a paid, annual member of Apple's developer program, which cost $99 to join. It made little sense for non-developers to pay that price as a public beta was made available for free soon after the developer beta.
This time, regardless of whether they are paid members of the developer program or not, everyone with an Apple ID can download the iOS 17 developer beta. This effectively includes practically all iPhone users. Additionally, downloading and installing the iOS 17 beta is a really simple process.
Should you get the iOS 17 developer beta?
Let's review the distinction between "could" and "should" before I explain how I installed the iOS 17 developer beta on my iPhone. Yes, you could download the developer beta, but should you?
Betas do, after all, represent incomplete software, and not all features will function flawlessly. In certain circumstances, you can even discover that daily-use apps don't function correctly with the beta software. Since one of the goals of a developer beta is to help polish software before it is made available to the general public, you will almost probably come across more bugs than you would with the general public.
Because of this, it makes sense for the majority of consumers to hold off until the release of the iOS 17 public beta in July. Even then, we advise avoiding installing any beta software, whether it be developer or public, on an iPhone that you use regularly. On a spare iPhone I have, I'm running the iOS 17 developer beta, but my iPhone 12 is still running iOS 16.5 at the moment.
In light of this, use caution when installing any beta on your iPhone. And if you do decide to proceed, make careful to do an archived backup on your iPhone before downloading and installing the iOS 17 developer beta.
Additionally, you should confirm that the beta is being installed on an iOS 17-compatible device. The new software will operate on any iPhone XR or iPhone Xs or later. The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X are among the devices that are no longer compatible with iOS 16 and iOS 17.
How to download and install the iOS 17 developer beta
1. Go to Apple's Developer website
Go to
Apple's Developer website using a browser on the iPhone you wish to upgrade, and scroll down until you find iOS 17. Touch iOS 17.
2. Sign in to download the iOS 17 beta
Tap the Download button in the top right corner of the following page. Use your Apple ID and password when prompted to sign in.
3. Agree to Apple's Developer Agreement
The Apple Developer Agreement must be accepted, which will be asked of you. Before clicking Submit, go to the bottom of the page and tick the relevant box.
Don't worry; you've only registered your device with Apple and there don't appear to be any links to download the developer beta on the subsequent iOS 17 beta page. The downloading itself happens elsewhere.
4. Check for software updates in Settings
Open the Settings application, then select General, then Software Update.
5. Select the beta you want to install
After selecting Beta Updates, select iOS 17 Developer Beta from the next screen. When you're done, press Back.
6. Download and install the iOS 17 developer beta
On the following page, the iOS 17 developer beta ought to be ready for you. To confirm, tap Download and Install and input your passcode. as requested.
The iOS 17 beta will then download to your phone from that location. You'll be asked to restart your iPhone after it's finished, at which point the iOS 17 beta will be installed.
There are no other details to add. I haven't verified whether the other developer betas for macOS Sonoma, iPadOS 17, and watchOS 10 that Apple has issued are similarly accessible to anyone with an Apple ID, but I can't think of any reason why they wouldn't be. Simply be sure to visit the developer website on the device you intend to install the beta on in step 1 of the process.
