Apple’s iOS 16 update was released on Sept. 12 with over 350 new features, like viewing all your Wi-Fi passwords, cutting the background out of your photos, and the all-new lock screen experience. Then came iOS 16.1 on Oct. 24 with essential updates like Live Activities and scroll to text fragments. But it doesn’t stop there.
Apple’s already fine-tuning iOS 16 with its iOS 16.2 beta, and you can install it right now if you want to try out even newer features before everyone else.
Note: The directions below also work for iPadOS 16.2 beta, but check out our iPadOS 16.2 installation guide for the full iPhone instructions.
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iOS 16 Beta Release History
- October 25: iOS 16.2 developer beta 1 (20C5032e)
- October 24: iOS 16.1 official release (20B82)
- October 18: iOS 16.1 public release candidate (20B79)
- October 18: iOS 16.1 developer release candidate (20B79)
- October 11: iOS 16.1 public beta 5 (20B5072b)
- October 11: iOS 16.1 developer beta 5 (20B5072b)
- October 5: iOS 16.1 public beta 4 (20B5064c)
- October 4: iOS 16.1 developer beta 4 (20B5064c)
- September 28: iOS 16.1 public beta 3 (20B5056e)
- September 27: iOS 16.1 developer beta 3 (20B5056e)
- September 21: iOS 16.1 public beta 2 (20B5050f)
- September 20: iOS 16.1 developer beta 2 (20B5050f)
- September 15: iOS 16.1 public beta 1 (20B5045d)
- September 14: iOS 16.1 developer beta 1 (20B5045d)
- September 12: iOS 16.0 official release (20A362)
- September 7: iOS 16.0 public release candidate (20A362)
- September 7: iOS 16.0 developer release candidate (20A362)
- August 29: iOS 16.0 developer beta 8 (20A5358a)
- August 24: iOS 16.0 public beta 5 (20A5356a)
- August 23: iOS 16.0 developer beta 7 (20A5356a)
- August 15: iOS 16.0 public beta 4 (20A5349b)
- August 15: iOS 16.0 developer beta 6 (20A5349b)
- August 9: iOS 16.0 public beta 3 (20A5339d)
- August 8: iOS 16.0 developer beta 5 (20A5339d)
- July 28: iOS 16.0 public beta 2 (20A5328h)
- July 27: iOS 16.0 developer beta 4 (20A5328h)
- July 11: iOS 16.0 public beta 1 (20A5312j)
- July 6: iOS 16.0 developer beta 3 (20A5312g)
- June 22: iOS 16.0 developer beta 2 (20A5303i)
- June 6: iOS 16.0 developer beta 1 (20A5283p)
Compatible Devices
The iOS 16.2 beta is available on the following iPhone models. Apple dropped support for the iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE (1st generation), so those devices are not supported on iOS 16.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
Archive an iOS Backup
While the iOS 16.2 beta is likely just as stable as the public iOS 16.0 and 16.1 releases, you may want to downgrade if there’s something you don’t like about it. To do that, you’ll want to have an archived backup of iOS 15.7 or 16.0.3 (which are all still being signed), but you can only create the backup before installing iOS 16.2 beta.
Method 1: Install with the OTA Public Profile
Apple first opened up the iOS 16 beta to the public on July 11, and it issued the first iOS 16.1 build to public beta testers on Sept. 15. The iOS 16.2 public beta hasn’t appeared yet but is expected on Oct. 26, one day after the developer version. Use these instructions to upgrade your iPhone to the latest iOS 16.2 public beta version when it’s available.
Apple has not released iOS 16.2 public beta yet.
- Remove the iOS 15 public beta if one is on your iPhone. Go to Settings –> General –> VPN & Device Management –> iOS 15 Beta Software Profile –> Remove Profile, enter your passcode, and confirm with “Remove.”
- Visit beta.apple.com in a browser on your iPhone.
- If not signed in already, log in with your Apple ID credentials, enter the 2FA code from another device, and “Trust” the browser if it asks.
- Read and “Accept” the Apple Beta Software Agreement if you see it.
- Tap the “enroll your iOS device” link. Alternatively, visit beta.apple.com/profile.
- Touch the “Download profile” link.
- Tap “Allow” on the pop-up to view the configuration profile, then “Close” when it finishes downloading.
- ‘Go to Settings –> General –> VPN & Device Management –> iOS 16 Beta Software Profile. Alternatively, tap the “Profile Downloaded” link on the Settings app’s main page.
- Select “Install,” enter your iPhone’s passcode, and read the consent form.
- Tap “Install” and then “Install” again in the action sheet.
- Tap “Restart” if a prompt asks you to. Otherwise, continue.
- Connect your iPhone to a power source and ensure you’re on a Wi-Fi network.
- Head to Settings –> General –> Software Update.
- Choose “Download and Install” if the software is not already downloading.
- Enter your passcode if asked.
- Tap “Agree” on the Terms & Conditions if it appears.
- Finish installing the iOS 16 beta like you would any other iOS update.
Method 2: Install with the OTA Developer Profile
The simplest way to install the iOS 16.2 beta on your iPhone is via the configuration profile on Apple’s developer website. Follow the below instructions if you’ve never done so before. You will need a developer account to access the configuration profile. After completing the process, you should get over-the-air (OTA) software updates to new betas.
If you were sent a .mobileconfig file for the iOS 16 beta from your company, open it on your iPhone. If AirDropped the file, “Accept” it. Then, in either case, tap “Close” and proceed to step 5 below.
The iOS 16.2 developer beta was released on Oct. 25, 2022.
- Visit developer.apple.com/download in a browser on your iPhone.
- If not signed in already, log in with your Apple ID credentials, enter the 2FA code from another device, and “Trust” the browser if it asks.
- Select “Install Profile” under the iOS 16 beta section. Alternatively, visit the “Install Profile” link.
- Tap “Allow” on the prompt, then “Close” after the configuration profile downloads.
- Go to Settings –> General –> VPN & Device Management –> iOS 16 Beta Software Profile. Alternatively, tap the “Profile Downloaded” link on the Settings app’s main page.
- Select “Install,” enter your iPhone’s passcode, and read the consent form.
- Tap “Install” and then “Install” again in the action sheet.
- Tap “Restart” if a prompt asks you to. Otherwise, continue.
- Connect your iPhone to a power source and ensure you’re on a Wi-Fi network.
- Head to Settings –> General –> Software Update. Alternatively, tap the “iOS 16 Developer Beta Now Available” link on the Settings app’s main page.
- Choose “Download and Install” if the software is not already downloading.
- Enter your passcode if asked.
- Tap “Agree” on the Terms & Conditions if it appears.
- Finish installing the iOS 16 beta like you would any other iOS update.
Method 3: Install with the IPSW Restore Image
The configuration profile is the easiest way to install the iOS 16.2 beta, but you can also use a restore image if you want a fresh start. Follow the below instructions if you’ve never done so before. You will need a developer account to access the IPSW for your iPhone model, but you can also jump to the IPSW downloads section below to grab a restore image if you’re not a developer.
The iOS 16.2 developer beta was released on Oct. 25, 2022. These instructions work on macOS Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11), Monterey (12), or Ventura (13).
- Visit developer.apple.com/download in a browser on your Mac.
- If not signed in already, log in with your Apple ID credentials, enter the 2FA code from another device, and “Trust” the browser if it asks.
- Select “View all” under the iOS 16 beta section.
- Download the IPSW file for your iPhone model. (Links are also listed after these instructions for your convenience.)
- Open Finder.
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a Lightning to USB cable or Lightning to USB-C cable.
- If you see an “Unlock iPhone to Use Accessories” notification on your iPhone, unlock your iPhone using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to proceed.
- Tap “Trust This Computer” if prompted on your iPhone, and follow the on-screen steps. You can always untrust the computer later.
- Select the name of your iPhone in the sidebar.
- Hold down the Option key and click “Check for Update” in the Summary panel.
- Choose the IPSW restore image you downloaded to your Mac, and click “Open.”
- Click “Update” if prompted to let your Mac contact Apple to verify and install the iOS 16 beta.
- You may have to enter your passcode on your iPhone during the installation.
- Your iPhone will restart once Finder finishes installing the image.
- Follow the instructions on your iPhone to activate and set up iOS 16 beta.
IPSW Download Links
Make sure to download the link associated with your specific iPhone model. These are official Apple links to the iOS 16.2 developer beta (20C5032e) restore images. You should be able to use these links if you are not a developer, but we recommend that you install the public beta (see Method 1 above) since these versions are optimized for developers.
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