Gearing towards the official release of iOS 11, Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 11 which can downloaded by everyone. The best part is that you don’t need to pay $99 for a developer account to download it. But don’t forget, it is a beta product.
With the final version of iOS 11 expected to be released later this year, Apple wants to release regular public betas over the summer in order to allow it to sort out the bugs and test new features on a large group of users. Apple released the second developer beta just last week, so it’s safe to say that this first public beta is more or less the same build as the one in the developer channel.
To download it, go to this website and enroll your compatible iOS device. You have to install a configuration profile, reboot your device and update iOS like it’s a normal software update — AirDrop works well to transfer configuration profiles between your Apple devices. In September, your device should automatically update to the final version of iOS 11.
iOS 11 features a ton of improvements for the iPad. You can now drag and drop files and app icons to open new apps, work with multiple apps at once and more. It’s a complete rethinking of the iPad user experience.
The iPhone is also getting many small and big improvements. The Photos app is going to learn new tricks, you can now send money in Messages using Apple Pay, and Control Center and lock screen are getting some much needed refinements.
Finally, there are some major changes under the hood, starting with ARKit and Core ML. Many third-party developers are already working on augmented reality apps and features as it has become much easier to turn the iPhone camera into an AR-enabled device.
