iOS 13 is the next major release for Apple’s mobile operating system, and Apple is moving forward with the latest developer beta. Meanwhile, iPadOS is meant to show the turning point for the iPad lineup and Apple’s new focus on the tablet lineup. tvOS 13, macOS Catalina, and watchOS 6 are also seeing major updates this year.
Apple on Monday seeded the second beta of iOS 13, macOS Catalina, iPadOS, watchOS 6, and tvOS 13 to developers. This is the next major release for iOS, which Apple officially announced and showcased at this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference. iOS 13 is packed with new features, tweaks, improvements, and more. As is par for the course, this is pre-release software and there are bugs associated with that.
Here’s a rundown on how to install the latest beta for iOS 13 and iPadOS.
Updating to the latest beta
For registered developers, installing the latest beta of iOS 13 requires visiting Apple’s Developer Center and downloading the profile. Updating to the latest iPadOS beta, the process is the same as updating to the latest iOS 13 beta. After that, beta 2 can be downloaded over the air after the profile has been installed and the iPhone and/or iPad has been restarted.
Updating to the latest tvOS 13 beta involves installing the profile via Xcode.
With watchOS 6, the latest beta can be installed by making sure the Apple Watch has 50% battery life, is connected to the charger, and is also connected and within range of the iPhone. Â Open the Apple Watch app, select General –> Software Update, and follow the instructions.
Finally, updating to macOS Catalina’s latest developer beta has registered developers opening the System Preferences app and selecting Software Update.
Each of the updates are grand in scale, offering new features to each. For instance, iOS 13 includes new elements like a brand new Dark Mode, changes to CarPlay, a brand new, redesigned Photos app, Sign In with Apple for a more login process across the web and apps, plus much more.
macOS Catalina boasts brand new apps for Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV. This is essentially splitting up iTunes, leaving that legacy app behind (unless you’re a Windows user). The new Sidecar feature allows owners to use their iPad as a secondary display, and the Apple Watch can be used to authenticate a wide variety of additional options.
watchOS 6 is finally offering an App Store with the launch of watchOS 6, and Apple is tossing in a handful of new watch faces as well. Apple is also bringing three of its first-party apps to the smartwatch, including a Calculator app, Voice Memos, and Audiobooks.
tvOS 13 is getting multi-user support, offering up individual profiles for more than one person in a household. Each profile will have access to their own personalized content, including Apple Music.
What’s new in iOS 13 and iPadOS
There are several additions to the latest developer beta of iOS 13 and iPadOS, some of which we’ve documented below. As one might expect, many of the new additions are behind-the-scenes, aiming to give more tools to developers building apps for the platform. Apple has listed the known issues, resolved issues, and new features with the latest beta.
However, some, like audio sharing, are making their debut to the beta cycle with this latest seed:
Audio sharing is compatible with AirPods (1st generation or later) and PowerBeats Pro. iPhone 8 or later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation or later), iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad (5th generation or later), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad mini (5th generation), or iPod touch (7th generation or later) is required. (51331268)
Mail is also getting some of the new features Apple announced at this year’s WWDC:
Ignore Blocked Senders can now be enabled in Settings > Mail. The blocked contacts list is shared with Messages, FaceTime, and Phone. (50775961)
Mail no longer quits unexpectedly when turning on Voice Control or when using VoiceOver, Switch Control, or Full Keyboard Access to reply to an email. (51023095)
“Select All” in the Mail app is back in this beta.
The betas also include tweaks and color options within the stock Calendar app, tvOS 13 now includes picture-in-picture support, and Screen Time settings will sync with the Apple Watch as well. Connecting to servers via SMB with the Files app is also now supported.
There is a new High-Key Light Mono Lighting option in the Camera app. In addition to that, the intensity slider while using Portrait mode is also present in this beta. Apple is also including new Memoji stickers, with four new options: victory, “shh”, thinking, and a fingers crossed sticker.
Pinning the Today view in iPadOS is easier with this latest beta.
There is a new “Send Replies Without Confirmation” option tied to the Announce Messages with Siri. With this feature switched on, Siri will send replies immediately, rather than reading back the message before sending.
If there are any other discoveries made, we will update this post accordingly. And be sure to let us know in the comments below if you find anything new in the latest developer betas.
These betas are meant for developers, but Apple does plan on launching public betas of certain platforms in the near future.