iOS 18 Beta 8 Available to Download

Apple has released iOS 18 beta 8 alongside iPadOS 18 beta 8 for users enrolled in the developer beta testing programs for Apple system software. The rumors that beta 7 could be the final build have proved false, as iOS 18 beta 8 and iPadOS 18 beta 8 are now available as well as macOS Sequoia beta 8, tvOS 18 beta 8, watchOS 11 beta 8, and visionOS 2 beta 8.

Separately, iOS 18.1 beta 3, iPadOS 18.1 beta 3, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 3, are also available. These concurrent beta releases are different in that they support Apple Intelligence AI features (at least on devices that are compatible with iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, and that also support the Apple Intelligence features).

It’s certainly conceivable that beta 8 is either the final build or close to the final build, and while the final public release is likely coming soon, any user can jump ahead of the pack by installing iOS 18 beta on iPhone or installing iPadOS 18 beta on iPad if they’re motivated to do so. You can update directly from betas to the final versions.

How to Download & Install iOS 18 Beta 8 and iPadOS 18 Beta 8

As usual you’re going to want to backup iPhone or iPad to iCloud, or your computer, before initiating the update sequence.

1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “General”, and then select “Software Update”
3. Select “Update Now” to download and install iOS 18 beta 8 or iPadOS 18 beta 8

The download size is fairly small, and will require you to restart to complete installation.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 bring a variety of new features to iPhone and iPad, allowing significant customizations to the appearance of the device Home Screen through new Dark Mode icons, color hued icons and widgets, new wallpapers, customization options to Control Center, a new Passwords app, a Calculator app for iPad, Distraction Control in Safari, a confusing redesign of Photos app, new Apple Intelligence AI features, the ability to schedule messages, and many other smaller changes to apps like Notes and Mail, and throughout the operating systems.

If you’re not interested in running beta system software, you will find the latest final stable builds of system software are currently iOS 17.6.1 and iPadOS 17.6.1, MacOS Sonoma 14.6.1, watchOS 10.6.1, and tvOS 17.6.1.

Apple has said that iOS 18 for iPhone and iPadOS 18 for iPad will be released this fall. Apple has an event scheduled for September 9, where the official launch date is expected to be announced, alongside iPhone 16.