If you haven't yet been seduced by the next iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 versions, it's high time you give it a go, as the public betas are already out, bringing resizable widgets, gestures and other goods to your iPhone. Wait, what?
That's right, not only is Apple dismantling its walled garden by letting third-party widgets on your iPhone's homescreen, but it will also let you replace its admittedly good but sometimes not enough default apps like Safari or Mail, and run popular app features as Clips.
Apple iOS 14 App Clips - just the clip, and only when you need it
You can now download the iOS 14 public beta for your compatible iPhone, starting the process by heading over to beta.apple.com. The first thing that you will need to do is enroll your devices in Apple's beta program.
Here's a list of all supported iOS 14 devices, ending way back when with the iPhone 6s:
iPhone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone XS
iPhone XS Max
iPhone XR
iPhone X
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone SE (1st generation)
iPhone SE (2nd generation)
iPod touch (7th generation)
All iPhone and iPad models compatible with iOS 14 and iPadOS 14
Phones
Tablets
Media players
iPhone 11, Pro, Max
iPad Pro 12.9" (2020)
iPod touch 7 (2019)
iPhone XS
iPad Pro 11" (2018,2020)
iPhone XS Max
iPad Pro 12.9" (2015, 2017, 2018)
iPhone XR
iPad Pro 10.5"
iPhone X
iPad Pro 9.7"
iPhone 8
iPad 6 (2018)
iPhone 8 Plus
iPad 5 (2017)
iPhone 7
iPad mini 5 (2019)
iPhone 7 Plus
iPad mini 4
iPhone 6S
iPad Air 3 (2019)
iPhone 6S Plus
iPad Air 2
iPhone SE (1st and 2nd 2020 generation)
You will then want to backup your iOS device just in case you want to downgrade back to iOS 13 and retain your data. If you are on macOS, select your device from Locations in the Finder sidebar. Create a backup then click Manage Backups to Archive your backup.
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On macOS, pick your iOS device from Locations in the Finder sidebar
The next step is to switch over to your iOS device and open beta.apple.com/profile. Download the profile, then go into your Settings app and check for updates. The beta should show up and allow you to install it.
What's new in iOS 14? This year, Apple went for the Android's jugular by not only ensuring that iOS 14 is as bug free as possible, unlike the iOS 13 drama, but also encroached on Android's turf by introducing real homescreen widgets, gestures and default app swaps.
For our full iOS 14 impressions, alongside all the new features, check out our in-depth iOS 14 review of everything that is new, and a few important iOS 14 feature tips that you need to know the ins and outs of.
Keep in mind that you should only install the public beta if you are comfortable with experiencing bugs in normal usage of your phone.
How to install the iOS 14 beta:
1. Do a full iTunes backup of your data since you're about to install beta software. 2. Open Apple's public beta page on the device on which you're about to install the iOS 14 beta. 3. Enroll your device by downloading the beta profile, which can be found here. 4. Head to Settings > General > Software update and then you should see the iOS 14 beta available for download. Press the "Download and Install" button. 5. After the beta has been downloaded, your device will reboot. Once it boots up again, it will be running the beta software.
How to downgrade from iOS 14 public beta:
1. Remember that backup we made you do? Well, it's the cornerstone of downgrading from iOS 13.
2. Connect your device to a computer and launch iTunes. 3. Put your phone into recovery mode: On an iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Then, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery-mode screen.
On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Keep holding both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
4. iTunes will prompt you to restore your device and therefore reset it back to its factory defaults.
5. Once your device has been restored, sign up with your Apple ID and restore the full iTunes backup you hopefully have lying around.
Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena since 2010, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.
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