Apple is allowing the public to test pre-release versions of its iOS 8 operating system for the first time.
The company has launched an iOS 8.3 Beta, which is the first version available to users beyond the developer community.
The beta launch follows the success of the public tests for Mac OS X Yosemite, which launched in the summer of 2014. Now Apple wants feedback from every day iOS users.
The company is explaining iPhone and iPad users will need to be patient with the software as its likely to contain a variety of bugs to be squished before it rolls out the full version.
iOS loyalists will need to back up their device to iTunes, before downloading a configuration profile from the AppleSeed website. This will enable the beta to show up in the usual Software Update section of the iOS Settings app.
The iOS 8.3 beta software is already in the hands of the developer community and offers users improved ways to filter their messages.
Related: iOS 8.2 features: What’s new for iPad and iPhone owners?
The company rolled out iOS 8.2 earlier this week, bringing compatibility with the forthcoming release of the Apple Watch. There’s also a number of improvements for the Apple Health platform.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
