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Apple has released the public betas for iOS 14, iPadOS 14, macOS Big Sur, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7, which provides an excellent opportunity for users to test new software, provide feedback from Apple (mileage varies on utility that es) and familiarize yourself with what is changing.
But with betas come risks.
It’s right in the name: beta. Just because this is a public beta, don’t let that fool you into thinking there are no bugs. There are many bugs in the final versions. Beta versions bring with them all kinds of problems, from bugs in the software itself, to compatibility issues with all the applications and software you trust.
Must read: Should you install iOS 13.7 on your iPhone?
In fact, it can be very upsetting to find out that everything works except for that one thing you trust.
Now, the installation of Apple beta versions is not catastrophic, as they are a one-way trip. You can back off if things go wrong – Apple has instructions here for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.
However, you also need to plan for the worst and make sure you have a backup of all your data (an off-device backup, in case the device ends up being completely wiped). Data loss is really the worst kind of problem you can have when playing beta games (the risk of completely locking a device is negligible).
Backing up and recovering devices where the beta has gone rogue takes a long time, so keep that in mind. You can play Russian roulette with your data and win many times, but the thing about Russian roulette is that you only need to lose once.
Here are my best tips for running public beta versions smoothly:
- Don’t run betas on devices you trust!
- Have up-to-date backups off the device
- Make sure to allow enough time to back up and possibly restore later
- Do not run beta versions on hardware you do not own!
My experience with Apple’s current crop of betas is quite positive. Most of the issues I encountered were related to third-party software and are generally dealt with quickly by developers.
But still, don’t let that lull you into a false sense of confidence. Things can go wrong. Very bad.
And fast.
Still interested? Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website for more details and to enroll your devices.
