How to Install iPadOS 18 Public Beta

With the public beta for iPadOS 18 available, any curious iPad user is now able to install the iPadOS 18 public beta onto an eligible device.

Running iPadOS 18 public beta provides an opportunity to test out features and the new operating system before the system software is finalized, giving early access to features like the Calculator app, Passwords app, a completely redesigned Photos app, improvements to Notes including Apple Pencil math support, new Dark Mode theme options and icon color hue options, and Apple Intelligence AI features, and much more.

It’s important to remember that running beta system software, including iPadOS 18 public beta, is not for everyone, and is generally only appropriate for advanced users. Since beta system software is buggier than final releases, you’ll likely encounter bugs, crashes, freezes, performance issues, battery issues, and other nuisances that are typically not part of a final OS experience. If you’re comfortable with the risks associated with running betas, you’ll find that installing iPadOS 18 public beta onto an iPad is very easy.

Backup your iPad before installing iPadOS 18 public beta!

It is imperative that you backup your iPad before installing iPadOS 18 public beta. Backup iPad to iCloud, and also backup iPad to Mac with Finder, or to a PC. Don’t skip the backup process, failure to do so could result in permanent data loss.

iPad Models Supporting iPadOS 18

iPadOS 18 is compatible with the following iPad models:

• iPad Pro 11-inch 1st-gen and later (2018 or newer)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later (2018 or newer)
• iPad Air 3rd-gen and later (2019 or newer)
• iPad 7th-gen and later (2019 or newer)
• iPad mini 5th-gen and later (2019 or newer)

You will also need at least 15GB of storage free on the iPad to be able to install the iPadOS 18 public beta, and an active internet connection.

Generally speaking, the newer and faster the iPad, the better the performance.

How to Install & Run iPadOS 18 Public Beta on iPad

Installing iPadOS 18 public beta is easy:

1. Connect iPad to a charger
2. Backup iPad to iCloud and a computer if you haven’t done so yet – do not skip this
3. On iPad, open Safari and go to https://beta.apple.com/ to enroll your Apple ID in the public beta program for iPadOS 18 (if you already enrolled for Sequoia or iOS 18, you’re good)
4. Open “Settings” app on iPad
5. Go to “General” and select “Software Update”, then tap on the “Beta Updates” option
6. Select “iPad 18 Public Beta” and then tap on “Back” to return to Software Update



7. iPadOS 18 Public Beta will soon become available as a software update
8. Select “Update Now” to start the process of installing iPadOS 18 public beta on iPad

Installing beta system software is more or less the same as installing final versions of system software to iPad, so have patience.

Many users have reported that installing iOS 18 public beta can take a very long time, and some users have reported that with ipadOS 18 installations as well. Be prepared to wait potentially several hours for the beta install to complete, even if the device looks like it’s stuck on “Requesting” or “Preparing” or the  Apple logo progress bar screen. The iPadOS 18 update will complete eventually, so do not interrupt the installation.

First boot of iPadOS 18 public beta offers the familiar ‘hello’ screen followed by a few little setups options:

In a moment, you’ll be presented with the iPadOS 18 home screen, which you can customize and theme how you’d like including by changing the color hue of widgets and icons:

Updating iPadOS 18 public beta to new beta versions, and the final version

All updates to iPadOS 18 public beta, including the final version of iPadOS 18, will arrive in Software Update.

Go to Settings > General > Software Update, and install updates as usual.

iPadOS 18 will be released in the fall, according to Apple.

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What do you think of iPadOS 18 and the public beta? Are you installing it on your iPad? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments.