15, macOS Monterey, tvOS 15, and watchOS 8
public betas are now available. As a member
of the Apple Beta Software Program, you can
help shape Apple software by test-driving pre-
release versions and letting us know what you
think.” Previewing Apple’s public betas is a way
not only to be aware of all changes coming
in future updates, but help Apple to find and
squash bugs that might have been missed.
It’s also worth noting that the Developer
and Public betas are typically the same build
when they are released together, but the most
notable difference is that the developer beta is
updated more frequently than the public beta.
Developer betas may have device-breaking
bugs that render your iPhone or MacBook
useless until the next beta release, meaning it’s
not recommended for those who want to run
a beta on their actual smartphone or laptop.
It’s common that iOS and macOS betas feature
bugs that only developers or those with a good
computer knowledge can work around, so
those that want a stable pre-release should stick
with the public beta. Having said that, there’s
also no guarantee that the public beta will be all
that stable - again, you should only install it on a
device that isn’t your “everyday” iPhone.
BIG CHANGES ACROSS THE BOARD
One of the reasons why Apple is ramping up
beta testing on this year’s software updates is
because they introduce a whole host of new
features for consumers. On iOS 15, FaceTime
has been overhauled with SharePlay, stream
parties, the ability to listen to music at the
same time, and the ability to share your screen
on your Mac or iPhone. Spatial audio also