Update: The public beta is now available via Apple’s Beta Program site. Instructions on how to go about installing can be found here.
Alongside the public beta of OS X 10.11 El Capitan, Apple today has announced that it will release the public beta of iOS 9 later today. The public beta will allow users to test the new features of iOS 9 before Apple launches in a stable build of the operating system this fall. Users can sign up to be a Beta Program member on Apple’s Beta Program site.
With the public beta of OS X, Apple has in the past updated it less frequently than it does with the developer builds so we can assume it will take the same strategy with iOS.. Earlier this week, Apple released the third beta of iOS 9 and will likely continue to release new builds every two weeks leading up to the public launch this fall.
iOS 9 includes a variety of new features like Proactive search, Transit in Apple Maps, and a new Notes application. The update also includes new features for the iPad that further hint at the launch of a larger-screened iPad Pro. There are also, of course, a plethora of under-the-hood fixes.
Last month, we broke down some of the features in iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 El Capitan and noted some improvements Apple could make to the functionality of the features before launch later this year.
If you’re curious as to how to go about preparing your device for the public beta and what risks installing it entails, view our guide here.
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Too early
I agree. There are some issue that normal users will freak out about. I think they should wait for DP4
I don’t know-beta3 is very stable for me, and addresses all of the remaining big issues from b2.
I think as a general rule that “normal users” shouldn’t download betas at all, or at least not until very near the release date.
Agree about “normal users” shouldn’t download betas at all.
Too late.
Can this update be done OTA or do you have to download it to your computer and install from there?
you can install it OTA, but you need to go to Apple’s beta site from the device and install a profile.
you get sent a redeem code link and then you download from the app store ota
It’ll be interesting to see if the public beta will work with watchOS 1.0.1 (or if they’ll release a public beta for that).
Watch OS 1.0.1 works, and shows up-to-date in the Watch app. I was hoping for an early access OS 2 with the iOS 9 preview, but I suppose I have to wait (or join the official Apple Dev program).
This is def the perfect time. Beta 3 has fixed almost all the issues and stability problems I once had. Battery life is also great now too.
How is low power mode? Does it really make a difference?
Totally agree. Beta 3 has been uber stable and battery conscious.
Is it stable enough for an everyday device?
It’s running food here really nice upgrade
*good
Cool splash page…
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xdl3gqhiwg3ybof/Screen%20Shot%202015-07-09%20at%2010.31.03%20AM.png?dl=0
It’s Live
Hallelujah! -normal user
Hahah this is so funny. About 2 hours ago I was thinking of installing iOS9 without a UDID. I saw a video of how to do it on youtube but finally I decided not to do it.
you don’t need to register the UDID without iOS 9 anyways. there’s no ‘trick’ to it.
‘you don’t need to register the UDID without iOS 9 anyways’ what does that mean?
that means English might not be your friend at all times :D
It means you don’t need to register your udid to install betas anymore. You haven’t had to do it since ios8. People just tell you do so they can make money off of you.
The bastards :p.
So basically anyone can upgrade to iOS9 if they want to? The dude in the video also said there are activation issues if you do upgrade. What does he mean by that? I have an unlocked iPhone 6…
sorry i meant to say “with iOS 9” but my muscle memory added “out” — but yeah. UDID not necessary. Been using 9 beta since the beginning on devices i never put into the developer program.
Its given me an option to update the Watch too for public beta
Really? Can you show us a picture?
https://gadgetben23.wordpress.com/2015/07/09/public-beta-option-to-install-apple-watch-profile/
it does give an option to install a certificate for watch os but my understanding is it is for watch to work with ios 9.
I think Gunay is correct. Public beta testers can install the beta profile on their watch, but it’s not actual watchOS 2.0 beta you are installing on your watch. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but I believe that’s all it is.
Posted a link awaiting moderation!
Well, it gives you the option to install the iOS 9 Beta Profile on the Apple Watch (or the iPhone). But the question is, if the Watch will load the watchOS 2 Beta if you install the iOS 9 Beta profile?
Did you tried it?
I installed the beta profile on my watch, but for me is says 1.0 is the current version. (Yes I know about 1.0.1 – mine for some reason still says 1.0 is the current version). So no, I don’t think it will load watchOS 2 Beta for us public testers.
That’s what I thought. But I think I once saw the watchOS 2 beta profile online (uploaded by some developers I guess). The description said, that if you are running iOS 9 beta on your iphone, you could install that profile on you watch and then download watchOS 2 beta.
Installed the watch profile and it shows no updates for Watch OS
Installing the beta now on my iPhone 5. See how it goes….
Tried three times to download. Starts downloading and gets to almost the end and then fails. Trying a full reset on phone to see if it will work now. I have about 2 GB of space and it says it is 1.2 GB for the update.
I had 800mb of free space on my iPad Air 2 and it updated without telling me there’s insufficient space left. I was really surprised when I managed to update to iOS9 without freeing up some space.
My iPhone 5 finished updating. Looking around now… Seems a little slow on some apps, but other than that not too bad. I am interested to see how the low power mode works. Looks like it has to be turned on and only way to do it is in the settings > battery area. Be nice if it kicked in automatically.
I also keep hoping that Apple will introduce a notification option so that when I am on a call and a reminder, alert, etc. occurs, that it does not beep in my ear and cause me to not hear the other person talking. Seems like a easy fix… My Blackberry back in the day had that feature. :) Well, I will keep dreaming and looking for this each iOS release.
I do agree that low power mode should start automatically, maybe when battery gets to 20%.
I am trying out low power mode this morning. Not seeing battery be extended so far. Started at 100% with battery when I enabled and already down to 89%. Sent a few texts, but nothing else on the phone. See how it goes with low power mode through noon hour.
Downloading now for my iPad Air 2. Not so interested in updating my 6 Plus right now.
I already posted something in feedback assistant:
FEEDBACK ASSISTANT IS GARBAGINGLY SLOW lol.
But I really like iOS9. Power mode is one of them features I can’t wait to use.
The website is not working at all LOL … Does someone know why>?< :/ I want to download the beta so much !!!!
What is the build number for the public beta?
Version shows as 9.0 (13A4293g)
Any issues with the iPhone 6 Plus, MacBook Pro 2011, or Mac Mini 2012?
Oh and the beta.apple.com is down, just so you know
I just asked on the Apple Support about the public beta and the Apple Watch. They said that this beta will work with watch os 1.0.1 :) Going to give it a go then.
Help! I have been downloading the beta onto my iPhone 6 and it says there is 45 minutes left. I am going to take this as a sign to stop. How do I stop the download??
Updated to public beta, I have no News app and swiping to reveal the new intelligent search panel is just a blank page with search bar….?
Same here. Can’t seem to find any setting to turn on for it.
Never mind, tapping the microphone in the search screen seemed to activate it for some reason.
My intelligent search is blank and I don’t see a microphone.
Just change your region to United States from Settings > General > Language & Region.
Not too sure about installing this on my main phone :/
is anyone else’s battery getting killed?
Yep…from 30 to 7 to zero in less than 3 min.
Downgrading….
Not true. Battery life is pretty much the same for me as it was with 8.4 and I have sooooooo oooooooold iPhone 4S.
Yes — iPad Air 2 is lasting maybe 3 hours max — with just web surfing/facebook
Battery drain?
Not at all
My battery is getting killed. 10% per minute
I can confirm, not at all (iPhone 4S).
Will the final release require a restore after install if you test the beta?
I highly doubt it… the change from iOS 7 to 8 last year was super simple… just like a normal update. no issues here. :)
Anyone else not like the lower case San Francisco font on the keyboard? It needs to be bold in my opinion., looks to thin at least on my iPad Air. 2.
I don’t think it’s the font as much as the vertical spacing. The lower case “I” for example is way too high in its key cap, but in line with the rest of the letters on that row.
I think the font is way too bold and was better before. It probably depends on person’s eyes so I suggest making it changeable in settings.
The uppercase looks fine to me, I just don’t like the lowercase look.
Exactly. Lowercase is way too bold I think. Uppercase is just fine.
Hello,
Anyone not able to snap pictures with volume up button after iOS 9 public beta?
Not working for me
Can you use Google Chrome for iOS to “download profile”? Son is having difficulty and he can’t get Safari.
You NEED safari. How are they unable to have it? Safari Is the only way you can download the profile. No safari, no IOS 9.
What are the difference for iPhone 5s users compared to 6 users? I downloaded the public beta but spotlight (swipe from left to right) is basically the same and no split screen multitasking either on the iPhone 5s or iPad mini
https://www.apple.com/ios/ios9-preview/
Split Screen multi-tasking only works on the latest iPad Air 2.
Spotlight search and Siri photo search responds that there’s no app available to do that… (I’m a iPhone 5s) anyone else have a similar experience
cant seem to download it seem to take for ever to find it on my ipad
It’s downloaded onto my 5s and I must say that I’m surprisingly pleased with how stable it seems to be so far.
Of course there are a few minor issues I’ve noticed:
– A bit juddery in places (transition to multitask view)
– Some freezing in areas of the settings pages (e.g.; wallpaper options)
– The search screen in podcasts doesn’t work.
– Crashing when trying to select video in camera
– The letters on the keyboard don’t seem to be vertically centred (?)
– Siri does’t seem to be able to “find stuff” (ie; photos by name) as well as Apple had suggested.
The good stuff:
– San Francisco looks great on the retina screen (I’m not not convinced of San Fran in El Capitan, however…)
– It’s generally nippy and responsive
– The new horizontal scroll in pictures is fantastic.
– The new options in notes are not only welcome, but super simple and easy to use (especially checklist!)
– The new multitasking screen allows much faster switching (especially apps that are “a long way away”), although the reverse order to previous iOSes takes a little getting used to..
Other bits:
– Obviously, I haven’t had it long enough to test the rumoured battery issues and as I’m outside North America, there’s no News app.
– The feature I wished iOS9 had was if you held either the wifi or bluetooth icons in Control centre that it would take you to their respective settings screen.
All in all, I’m really happy so far.
Installed it this morning on a 4S spare.
Installing took a long while, after downloading 1.2GB worth of update.
Did a full reset and erase after install and so far kept all settings to their defaults.
Did not activate my iCloud on it though as when it was running 8.4.
So far I am *very* pleased from what I see.
Before installing, I had 995MB used, after 805MB (190MB less memory footprint :) ).
Some apps reduced memory footprint in varying degrees (say 1% to 5% – none of them I think is using the new app thinning and no updates were carried out so far).
It has now been in stand-by about 1hr and battery still a solid 100% – no battery drain to be seen.
The new font change is quite obvious and pleasing to the eye.
The interface in some cases feels cramped on such a small screen, but it works.
Low power mode unfortunately is activated the moment you flip the switch on and not when the battery level reaches a certain low level – does not make much sense and considering that it is not reachable directly from the lock screen, it is quite useless to me. Screen brightness get reduced by the way. I already gave feedback to Apple about it.
The battery icon is square and ugly (as well the battery icon in yellow – horrible) and looks odd compared to the others in the settings.
The App Store loads way faster and apart some occasional choppy animations or lags, the UI feels definitely faster than 8.4 on the same phone with the same setup.
Also connecting to the mobile network seems faster.
If it goes on like this with the next releases, iOS 9 is a winner.
Useless note: New dynamic wallpapers maybe, would be nice…they are getting old. ;)
Installed iOS 9 on an iPad 2 too – memory footprint was reduced from iOS 8.4 of 400MB. (from 2.0GB to 1.6GB). Apps don’t seem to be affected as it happened on the 4S.
It seems smoother than iOS 8. All installed apps seem to be working ok with 9.
On this device I did no complete reset and left everything as it was before the upgrade.
Not a real surprise, but low power mode is not available on the iPad.
Let’s see though if I will notice any battery lifetime improvement or battery drain. So far it seems ok.
The nightmares of selecting text is finally over with iOS 9 on iPad ! :)
Server Down….
Wifi-calling does not seem to show up any longer sense installing iso 9 any one else having this problem ?
I downloaded iOS 9 on my iPad , I don’t see any issues that I need to worry about. Do you recommend me to download it on my iPhone 6 as well?
Is cursor control on the iphone removed in the public beta? I cant get it to work or find an option to turn it on.
I downloaded it on my iPhone 6 plus 16 gb and saw a huge increase on the memory footprint, it was 4.7 gb free before install and 1.9 after install. I will do a clean install later to see if this helps out, and i can clear out the apps i never use. Anyone else had this problem?
So far all is well, in my 4 hrs of use from last night all apps work fine antutu benchmark gave it a 45700. Some minimal issues like siri only giving voice feedback in English (I am in mexico so I use it in spanish)
iPhone 4S -> 200MB free before downloading a profile to be able to install PB -> 1.2 GB free after doing so (I don’t know what did that, I didn’t delete anything) -> 1.6 GB free before installation -> 2.0 GB free after installation
Also installed on an iPad 2 all fine 200 mb extras of storage it feels faster than 8.4.
Does iOS 9 public beta work with the current Apple WatchOS??
yes
Newsfeed is not available for the 4S in Germany…
Anyone experienced a complete download only to be told an error occurred and you need to re-download? Wasted my flipped data as I have a cap. Using iPhone 6.
Anyone else with an iPad mini 1st generation able to download iOS 9 public beta profile but not get the iOS 9 beta? I would like to try iOS 9 beta on my iPad mini, but it’s not showing the update. 😞
I’m using iPad 4 gen and I can’t even find the iOS 9 beta either it still searching and it been 30 minutes now
So I have noticed that the ‘swipeselection-like’ feature is no longer available in the latest beta/update…. Bummer
thank you
Has anyone had any issues with not having a phone app when you download the iOS 9 beta. I can’t make outgoing calls but can receive them any ideas on what to do. I am downloaded the beta on my iPhone 6.
i6, intermittent freezing. Frustrating and killed BBM.