Apple developer account users no longer have to wait until next month to try out the tech giant’s latest betas.

Paid users with an Apple developer account have historically had an advantage over subscribers with a free account to test the latest beta updates. However, Apple is now opening the doors to all users.

Conditions

From now on, you no longer have to pay the $99 monthly Apple Developer Program to install the first beta versions of the operating system. That means impatient (budding) developers can start with early versions of macOS Sonoma or iOS17, for example, instead of waiting for next month’s public beta.

You need an Apple ID or a developer account with the Apple Developers Program anyway.

Until recently, developers had to download and install a configuration profile for each device. However, you can now install these early betas via an option in your device’s software update settings.

Not without risk

Keep in mind that these first betas are mainly intended for developers. They often have a second device to try out these new systems. Since they are still in full development and in an early testing phase, errors of all kinds are the rule rather than the exception.

So it is not recommended to install it if you only have one device. Many of these betas prevent you from going back to general stable software and then having to wait for the next public update, sometimes half a year later. Downloading and installing early betas is therefore always at your own risk