There’s some huge changes coming to your iPhone later this year with Apple just announcing its new iOS 14 operating system. This blockbuster update will be released in the autumn, but if you can’t bear to wait that long there’s a simple way to try out all the exciting new features before almost everyone else.
Apple always launches its public beta programme in the months prior to the big release and iOS 14 will be no different. That means, in the coming weeks, you’ll be able to download the new version of iOS long before it’s pushed out to millions of iPhone owners across the globe.
Although the public beta isn’t available quite yet, Apple has launched a dedicated web page which offers the ability to sign up for news of this release.
“New public betas for iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS Big Sur, tvOS 14 and watchOS 7 are coming soon. As a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, you can help shape Apple software by test-driving pre-release versions and letting us know what you think. If you’re not already a member, sign up today,” Apple states on its site.
YOU CAN FIND THE iOS 14 BETA PAGE HERE
But hang on! Before you get too excited, there are some things to remember about the public beta. Firstly, this is not finished software.
READ MORE: Your iPad and iPad Pro are getting an upgrade and here’s what’s new in iPad OS 14
In fact, that’s the whole point of Apple making it available early as it means you’ll be tasked with reporting any bugs, incompatibilities, or glitches found in the early software. This gives Apple the time to iron-out the issues before the big release date.
Because it’s not the final build, Apple advises that users should not download the iOS 14 beta on their primary smartphone. Instead, to avoid any phone-crashing nightmares when you really need to use your smartphone, the software should be installed on a secondary iPhone.
If you are happy to proceed then it means you’ll get play with some big new features months early and those who have signed up for alerts on the public beta release will be the first to hear the release news.
Here’s what’s new in iOS 14
Perhaps the most exciting is the introduction of widgets. Yes, you will soon be able to transform the homescreen with everything from weather widgets and emails to activity levels and music. You can even change these information-packed squares to any size and add as many of them as you like.
And that’s not the only change as Apple is also adding something called App Library which allows you to hide those endless apps filling up your phone without actually deleting them.
Other updates include a better way to message your mates with group chats now easier to organise plus there’s some fun new ways to spruce up your Memoji characters with additional hairstyles, headwear and accessories. iOS 14 also brings picture-in-picture video to the iPhone for the first time. So, you’ll be able to carry on watching the football while you surf the web or chat with friends on WhatsApp.
Finally, Apple has changed how some apps work on iPhone. Instead of downloading a dedicated application for every takeaway order or cinema ticket purchase, Apple is now letting you access the most important part of the app straight from the homescreen. Called App Clips this addition will make it much faster to interact with a range of products and services and means your iPhone won’t be full of apps you’ve only used once.