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How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First

Apple may have released iOS 17 to the public already, but the work is not done for this year’s major software update. Over the months, Apple will continue to deploy point releases, and you’ll be able to test out any new features and changes Apple has in store before everyone else if you’re a developer or public beta tester.

The iOS 17 Public Beta software update is currently available to anyone in the Apple Beta Software Program, while the iOS 17 Developer Beta is only for app developers enrolled in the Apple Developer Program. App developers have had access to the beta since June 5, and Apple opened it up to public beta testers on July 12.

Now that Apple has released iOS 17.0 (on Sept. 18, 2023), these beta programs will continue throughout the remainder of the iOS 17 life cycle. Developer betas are usually released first, with the public betas following shortly behind by hours or days. The current iOS 17 beta is iOS 17.1, first released to developers on September 27.

Jump to a Section:

  • iOS 17 Release History
  • Backing Up Before You Continue
  • Installing iOS 17 Public Beta Software
  • Installing iOS 17 Developer Beta Software
  • Compatible iOS 17 Devices

iOS 17 Release History

  • September 27: iOS 17.1 Developer Beta 1 (21B5045h)
  • September 26: iOS 17.0.2 Official Release (21A351) – for all other iPhone models
  • September 22: iOS 17.0.2 Official Release (21A350) – for iPhone 15 models only
  • September 21: iOS 17.0.1 Official Release (21A340)
  • September 18: iOS 17.0 Official Release (21A329)
  • September 12: iOS 17.0 Release Candidate (21A329)
  • August 29: iOS 17.0 Public Beta 6 (21A5326a)
  • August 29: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 8 (21A5326a)
  • August 22: iOS 17.0 Public Beta 5 (21A5319a)
  • August 22: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 7 (21A5319a)
  • August 15: iOS 17.0 Public Beta 4 (21A5312c)
  • August 15: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 6 (21A5312c)
  • August 9: iOS 17.0 Public Beta 3 (21A5303d)
  • August 8: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 5 (21A5303d)
  • July 31: iOS 17.0 Public Beta 2 (21A5291j)
  • July 31: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 4 Revised (21A5291j)
  • July 25: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 4 (21A5291h)
  • July 12: iOS 17.0 Public Beta 1 (21A5277j)
  • July 11: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 3 Revised (21A5277j)
  • July 5: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 3 (21A5277h)
  • June 21: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 2 (21A5268h)
  • June 5: iOS 17.0 Developer Beta 1 (21A5248v)

Backing Up Before You Continue

If you think you may want to downgrade from an iOS 17 Beta version, you’ll want to archive a backup of the current iOS 16 or iOS 17 software on your iPhone before installing the latest beta update. Once you install the latest iOS 17 Beta, a backup of the new software may replace your iOS 16 or iOS 17 backup on your Mac, so it’s important to prevent that.

  1. Connect your iPhone and Mac with a compatible cable.
  2. Select your iPhone from Finder’s sidebar on your Mac.
  3. Choose the “General”tab if not already open.
  4. Check “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac”in the Backups section.
  5. Check “Encrypt local backup”to protect it with a password. (This is optional.)
  6. Click “Back Up Now.”
  7. Click “Manage Backups”after Finder finishes backing up your iPhone.
  8. Right-click on the backup you want to archive.
  9. Choose “Archive”from the contextual menu.
  10. A date should appear in the backup’s name, indicating it is now protected from overwriting.
  • Full Guide: How to Create an Archived Backup of Your Current iOS Version So You Can Restore After a Downgrade
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First

Installing iOS 17 Public Beta Software

These instructions for installing the iOS 17 Public Beta work best when your iPhone is already updated to iOS 16.4 or later. If it’s not, you’ll need to install a configuration profile.

Skip to Step 4 if you’re already an Apple Beta Software Program member.

  1. Enroll your Apple ID in the Apple Beta Software Program if it hasn’t already been enrolled from previous beta installations. Visit beta.apple.com, then hit “Sign Up”or “Sign In.”
  2. Log in with your Apple ID, read the agreement, and tap “Agree.”Skip to Step 4 if you’re already on iOS 16.4 or later. Otherwise, proceed to Step 3.
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
  1. If you’re using iOS 16.3 or earlier, visit beta.apple.com/download/1015832 and tap “Allow”to download the iOS 17 configuration profile. Then, go to Settings –> General –> VPN & Device Management, tap on the downloaded Beta Software profile, and tap “Install”to install it.
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
  1. Go to Settings –> General –> Software Update –> Beta Updates.
  2. Ensure the Apple ID listed at the bottom is the one you enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program. If not, tap it, select “Use a different Apple ID,”and sign in with the correct email address and password. Switching Apple IDs here will not affect any Apple IDs used for other apps and services on the device — it only affects software updates, so you can install betas on other devices you own that don’t use your Apple Beta Software Program Apple ID as the device’s primary Apple ID.
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
  1. With the correct Apple ID, ensure the iOS 17 Public Beta is checked.
  2. Hit “Back”to return to Software Update to see if the iOS 17 Public Beta is ready to install.
  3. Install iOS 17 Beta like any other software update when it becomes available.
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
  1. Optional: Provide feedback to Apple about any software issues you experience, which will help get the iOS 17 stable update as bug-free as possible. You can provide feedback via the Feedback Assistant app on your iPhone. The app is usually hidden on stable iOS software but visible when on a beta. If you want to attach a sysdiagnose report with your feedback, to help Apple determine what led up to the issue, use the volume buttons shortcut.

Installing iOS 17 Developer Beta Software

These instructions assume you are already a registered developer in the Apple Developer Program running iOS 16.4 or later on the target iPhone. On iOS 16.4 or later, it’s much easier to install beta software.

  1. Go to Settings –> General –> Software Update –> Beta Updates.
  2. Ensure the Apple ID listed at the bottom is the one assigned to your Apple Developer Program subscription. If not, tap it, select “Use a different Apple ID,”and sign in with the correct email address and password. Switching Apple IDs here will not affect any Apple IDs used for other apps and services on the device — it only affects software updates, so you can install betas on other devices you own that don’t use your Apple Developer Program Apple ID as the device’s primary Apple ID.
  3. With the correct Apple ID, ensure the iOS 17 Developer Beta is checked.
  4. Hit “Back”to return to Software Update to see if the iOS 17 Developer Beta is ready to install.
  5. Install iOS 17 Beta like any other software update when it becomes available.
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
How to Download and Install iOS 17.1 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First
  1. Optional: Provide feedback to Apple about any software or developer-related issues you experience, which will help get the iOS 17 stable update as bug-free as possible. You can provide feedback via the Feedback Assistant app on your iPhone. The app is usually hidden on stable iOS software but visible when on a beta. If you want to attach a sysdiagnose report with your feedback, to help Apple determine what led up to the issue, use the volume buttons shortcut.

Compatible iOS 17 Devices

The iOS 17.1 Beta is available on the following iPhone models. Apple did not include the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and XS on the list of supported iOS 17 models, so those devices now max out at the latest iOS 16 software.

  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone SE (3rd generation)
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation)
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone XR
  • iPhone XS Max
  • iPhone XS

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