How to download iOS 11.4.1 public beta 2 to your iPhone or iPad

iOS 11.4.1 is coming down the road with a number of new features — features that need real-world testing before the software officially launches. As such, Apple is letting interested users check out iOS 11.4.1 and provide feedback before it goes into wide release.

If you're one of those interested users, however, you will have to go through the public beta download and install process. While it's not complicated, it is different. So, we're going to walk you through it and give you a place to ask questions if you need extra help.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That's why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

• How to make an archived backup of your iPhone or iPad
• How to register your device with the iOS 11.4.1 public beta
• How to enroll your iPhone or iPad in the iOS 11.4.1 public beta
• How to install the iOS 11.4.1 public beta
• How to get started with the iOS 11.4.1 beta

How to make an archived backup of your iPhone or iPad

Before you begin, make sure you back up your iPhone or iPad. While the beta process is fairly straight forward, any time you make any significant change to your device you risk problems. And with your personal data, it's always — always! — better to be safe than sorry. Even if you back up every night, you'll want to make sure it's absolutely up-to-date.

1. Plug iPhone or iPad into your Mac or Windows PC.
2. Launch iTunes.
3. Click on the iPhone or iPad icon in the menu bar when it appears.
4. Make sure backup is set to This Computer. (And enable Encrypted backup — it's worth it!)
5. Click on Back Up Now. (Click on Encrypt Backup and add a password — you want the security.)
6. Back up Apps, if asked.
   
   
   

7. Press Command, to open Preferences. (Or go to iTunes in the menu bar and click on Preferences.
8. Click on the Devices tab.
9. Option-click on your Backup and choose Archive.
   
   
   

Archiving will prevent your current backup from being overwritten by an iOS 11.4.1 backup in the future, should you want to revert for any reason.

How to register your account for the iOS 11.4.1 public beta

If you've already joined an Apple public beta in the past, you shouldn't need to register again for iOS 11.4.1; simply sign in with the same Apple ID. If you've never joined a public beta before, you'll start by signing up with your Apple ID.

1. Go to beta.apple.com on the iPhone or iPad you want to enroll in the beta.
2. Tap on Sign up to get started. (If you've already signed up for a previous public beta, tap on Sign in and skip to our "How to enroll your device" section below.)
3. Enter you Apple ID email address and password.
4. Tap Sign in.
5. Tap Accept to agree to the terms and conditions.

Once you're signed up and signed in, it's time to start downloading.

How to enroll your iPhone or iPad in the iOS 11.4.1 public beta

Unlike regular iOS updates, where you just tap and start downloading, Apple is using configuration profiles to validate devices for the iOS 11.4.1 public beta. Here's how to install it.

Note: If you've been on a previous iOS public beta, you may need to remove the previous beta profile before installing the iOS 11.4.1 version. You can do so by going to Settings > General > Profile, selecting the iOS Beta Software Profile, and pressing Delete Profile.

1. Go to beta.apple.com, if you're not there already.
2. Tap the iOS tab, if it's not highlighted already.
3. Tap on Download profile.
4. Tap on Install in the upper right corner.
5. Enter your Passcode.
6. Tap on Install, this time to consent to the beta agreement. (Read it: There are risks to any beta.)
7. Tap on Install at the bottom to confirm. (Yes, you need to be really sure.)
8. Tap on Restart to reboot your device.

Once your iPhone or iPad has finished rebooting, it should start to download iOS 11.4.1 automatically. From this point on, the process is the same as any other iOS update.

How to install the iOS 11.4 public beta

To install the iOS 11.4.1 beta, you'll need to visit Software Update on your iPhone or iPad.

1. Launch Settings from your Home screen, tap on General, then tap on Software Update.
2. Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
3. Enter your Passcode.

4. Tap Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
5. Tap Agree again to confirm.

Your iPhone or iPad will reboot to install iOS 11.4.1. There will be a couple progress bars going across the screen. Sit tight, and let everything finish.

How to get started with iOS 11.4.1 public beta

Once your iPhone or iPad reboots, it'll be running iOS 11.4.1. There's a brief bit of setup you'll need to go through, however, as the system will have changed enough that it'll need your login to complete the update.

1. Tap Continue.
2. Enter your Apple ID password. iCloud settings will update, so give it a minute.
3. Tap Get Started.

Once that's done, you'll be on the Home screen and ready to rock iOS 11.4.1.

Update June 12, 2018: Apple has released iOS 11.4.1 public beta 2 for members of the Beta Software Program. If you already have a version of the iOS 11 public beta installed, proceed to Settings > General > Software Updates and download away.