How to Download and Install iOS 17.4 Beta to Try New iPhone Features First « iOS & iPhone :: Gadget Hacks

Since the feature-packed public release of iOS 17, we’ve seen iOS 17.1, iOS 17.2, and iOS 17.3 bring even more new features to iPhone. But the work is not done for this year’s major software update. Over the months, Apple will continue to deploy more 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.

Apple fully released iOS 17.0 on Sept. 18, iOS 17.1 on Oct. 25, iOS 17.2 on Dec. 11, and iOS 17.3 on Jan. 22, with a few minor point releases in between. Still, its 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 17.4, released on Jan. 25.

To try out all the new features coming to iOS 17.4 before everyone else, follow the instructions below to get the iOS 17.4 Beta on your iPhone. See our guide on installing iPadOS 17.4 Beta for help with installing the beta on your iPad.

Jump to a Section:

iOS 17 Release History

February 27: iOS 17.4 Release Candidate (21E217)

February 20: iOS 17.4 Developer and Public Beta 4 (21E5209b)

February 14: iOS 17.4 Public Beta 3 (21E5200d)

February 13: iOS 17.4 Developer Beta 3 (21E5200d)

February 7: iOS 17.4 Public Beta 2 (21E5195e)

February 6: iOS 17.4 Developer Beta 2 (21E5195e)

January 30: iOS 17.4 Public Beta 1 (21E5184k)

January 30: iOS 17.4 Developer Beta 1 re-release (21E5184k)

January 25: iOS 17.4 Developer Beta 1 (21E5184i)

January 22: iOS 17.3 Official Release (21D50)
January 17: iOS 17.3 Release Candidate (21D50)
January 10: iOS 17.3 Public Beta 3 (21D5044a)
January 9: iOS 17.3 Developer Beta 3 (21D5044a)
January 3: iOS 17.3 Developer Beta 2 (21D5036c) – unstable: removed Jan. 3
December 14: iOS 17.3 Public Beta 1 (21D5026f)
December 12: iOS 17.3 Developer Beta 1 (21D5026f)
December 11: iOS 17.2 Official Release (21C62)
December 5: iOS 17.2 Developer and Public Release Candidate (21C62)
November 30: iOS 17.1.2 Official Release (21B101)
November 28: iOS 17.2 Developer and Public Beta 4 (21C5054b)
November 15: iOS 17.2 Public Beta 3 (21C5046c)
November 14: iOS 17.2 Developer Beta 3 (21C5046c)
November 10: iOS 17.2 Public Beta 2 (21C5040g)
November 9: iOS 17.2 Developer Beta 2 (21C5040g)
November 7: iOS 17.1.1 Official Release (21B91)
October 27: iOS 17.2 Public Beta 1 (21C5029g)
October 26: iOS 17.2 Developer Beta 1 (21C5029g)
October 25: iOS 17.1 Official Release (21B74; 21B80 for iPhone 15 series)
October 20: iOS 17.1 Release Candidate 2 (21B77) – for iPhone 15 series only
October 17: iOS 17.1 Release Candidate (21B74)
October 10: iOS 17.1 Public Beta 3 (21B5066a)
October 10: iOS 17.1 Developer Beta 3 (21B5066a)
October 4: iOS 17.0.3 Official Release (21A360)
October 4: iOS 17.1 Public Beta 2 (21B5056e)
October 3: iOS 17.1 Developer Beta 2 (21B5056e)
September 28: iOS 17.1 Public Beta 1 (21B5045h)
September 27: iOS 17.1 Developer Beta 1 (21B5045h)
September 26: iOS 17.0.2 Official Release (21A351) – except iPhone 15 series
September 22: iOS 17.0.2 Official Release (21A350) – for iPhone 15 series 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 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 17 backup on your Mac, so it’s important to prevent that.

Connect your iPhone and Mac with a compatible cable.
Select your iPhone from Finder’s sidebar on your Mac.
Choose the “General” tab if not already open.
Check “Back up all of the data on your iPhone to this Mac” in the Backups section.
Check “Encrypt local backup” to protect it with a password. (This is optional.)
Click “Back Up Now.”
Click “Manage Backups” after Finder finishes backing up your iPhone.
Right-click on the backup you want to archive.
Choose “Archive” from the contextual menu.
A date should appear in the backup’s name, indicating it is now protected from overwriting.

How to Download and Install iOS 17.4 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.

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.”
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.

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.

Go to Settings –> General –> Software Update –> Beta Updates.
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.
With the correct Apple ID, ensure the iOS 17 Developer Beta is checked.
Hit “Back” to return to Software Update to see if the iOS 17 Developer Beta is ready to install.
Install iOS 17 Beta like any other software update when it becomes available.