What is beta software?
And why do some of the geeks in your life get new iPhone features before you do?
Every bit of software on your phone, computer, tablet, and even your car stereo goes through various iterations and updates throughout the life of the device. You know that “Software Update Available” notification that you sometimes ignore? That’s a new version of the underlying operating system (like iOS or Windows) that is ready to be installed. Sometimes these new versions come with cool new features; other times they don’t contain much beyond security updates. Or how about when Instagram gets a new feature and you have to install an update to get it? Same thing.
Before the general public gets their hands on a new version of an app or an OS update, it goes through testing. Most of the time, this testing is done in-house, but many app developers and device makers have beta testing programs as well.
What is a beta testing program?
If you’re brave, you can sign up to be a beta tester. This means you get a pre-release version of the app or software, and you then provide feedback if anything goes wrong. Why would things go wrong? Because software development is difficult, and creating new things can break old things, etc. Why would you sign up? To be helpful, and to try out new features before everyone else.
Why shouldn’t I install a beta?
I have installed Apple’s iOS beta on my iPhone every summer for a number of years. There are times when I have regretted this. Why? Here are a few issues I’ve run into:
My banking app simply would not open
My Notes stopped syncing between devices
The battery life was so bad I had to charge my phone multiple times a day
My phone would freeze, requiring a reboot at least once a day
Full-screen video would not work in Safari
My favourite photo editing up at the time would crash on open
And the list goes on. This is why it is suggested you avoid installing a beta on your “daily driver” and only test on backup devices.
Why would I install a beta then?
For the cool new features! iOS 16 has brought new lock screen options, haptic feedback when typing, and a new battery status option:
If you like to be on the bleeding edge of tech and try out new stuff before the general public, then beta software might be for you! However, I would strongly suggest not doing so unless you’re prepared to encounter some issues along the way.
Where do I sign up?
If you’d like to try out Apple’s beta program for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Watch, you can sign up here.
You can look for app betas here.
Android has a beta program as well.
Microsoft has the Windows Insider program.
Otherwise, check out my top 5 features of iOS 16 that you’ll be able to try out when it launches this fall!