iPadOS 16 was announced at Apple’s WWDC 2022 grand opening keynote on June 6. The update brings a host of new multitasking features like Stage Manager that should help make the tablet feel more like a laptop. We likely won’t see the official release of iPadOS 16 until later this fall, but you can watch it now via the developer beta.
Since this is a developer beta, the general public won’t be able to try iPadOS 16 until a public beta releases in July. However, developers who want to get their apps ready for this year’s big iPad OS update, or those who just want to peruse the latest features, can give it a try now. We’ve got all the information you need to install the iPadOS 16 developer beta in this guide.
Since this is a beta version, there are certain things you should know before you dive in. The developer beta will be the riskier of the two betas for iPadOS 16. It will cut out the fans, as it requires an Apple developer account that costs $100, which is available for purchase through Apple (opens in a new tab) .
The public beta of iPadOS 16 will be the safest beta to install as it is intended for the public. Unlike the developer beta, the public beta is completely free and should be available next month, Apple says.
If you can’t wait until then and your Apple developer account is in order, here’s how to get into the iPadOS 16 developer beta.
Before you download the iPadOS 16 developer beta
First, make sure your iPad is backed up. You can do this more easily through iCloud backups.
1. Open the Settings app .
2. Touch your user profile .
3. Tap iCloud .
4. Tap iCloud Backup .
5. Turn on the iCloud backup switch . Check the time of the “last successful backup” to make sure you saved your information to iCloud.
You can also back up locally to a Mac by connecting your iPad, opening Finder, selecting that iPad from the menu on the left, and clicking Summary.
Then select This Computer under Backups (as opposed to iCloud), and then click Back Up Now.
In the fine print of its iPadOS 16 announcement, Apple says the software update will work with iPad (5th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), and all iPad Pros. Based on iPadOS 15 compatibility, that means the second-generation iPad Air and fourth-generation iPad Mini will no longer be compatible with the new update.
Here is the list of supported iPads:
- 2020 iPad 10.2-inch aka iPad 8th generation (and back to the 5th generation model from 2017)
- All iPad Pro models, including:
- iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-inch)
- iPad Pro 2021 (11-inch)
- The iPad Air 2020 (4th generation), 3rd generation
- iPad mini (fifth generation)
How to download the iPadOS 16 developer beta
Ready to try iPadOS 16 for yourself? Here’s how to set up the developer beta.
1. On your iPad, go to developer.apple.com in the browser of your choice.
2. Sign in with your Apple developer account.
3. Click Downloads. This is found by clicking on the two lines on the left hand side.
4. Click Install Profile next to iPadOS 16 beta.
5. Click Allow.
6. Click Close.
7. Open Settings.
8. Touch Downloaded profile under your profile.
9. Select iPadOS 16 beta profile then tap install (enter your unlock code below).
10. Touch Install again.
11 Touch Install for the third time.
12 Tap Restart and your iPad will restart.
13 Go to settings. On the General tab , click Software Update.
14. Touch Download and install.
Now watch as your iPad downloads and prepares for the update. It might take a while. A good way to pass this time is to make sure the iPad is plugged in and charging.
15. Touch Install Now.
Now, it’s time for your iPad to restart. The iPadOS 16 developer beta will be installed. Good luck, developer, with updating your app to support iPadOS 16.
