Apple iPads are considered second-to-none in the tablet space as they work reliably well, and are considered to be excellent laptop replacements for many. And with every annual major OS update, Apple further enriches these glass slabs through new features and changes that are first available to beta testers. If you're interested in getting your hands on the latest and greatest iPadOS has to offer, you can download and install the most recent iPadOS beta build by following the instructions below.

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These are the devices that will get iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, and macOS Sequoia

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How to install iPadOS 18 beta

A simple step-by-step guide

Before you install an iPadOS beta on your iPad, you should know that there are risks in doing so. A lot of features and apps may not work as intended. In fact, you may even end up bricking your iPad if things go wrong. So if you depend on your iPad for work or studies, you might want to stick to stable releases. But if you understand all the risks associated with running a beta software and still want to proceed, then follow these steps below to get the latest beta software:

Your iPad must be signed in with the Apple ID you use to sign in to the Apple Developer website in order to see the beta release.

  1. Launch the Settings app on your compatible iPad.
  2. Tap on Software Update in the General section.
  3. Enter the Beta Updates section.
  4. Choose iPadOS 18 Developer Beta.
  5. Go back to the previous Software Update page.
  6. The latest iPadOS 18 beta build available should now show up.
  7. Tap on Download and Install.
  8. Connect your iPad to a power source, and wait for the installation process to conclude.

A public iPadOS beta should also be available in a few weeks' time, and you might want to wait for that in case you don't want to deal with a very early version of the software that's potentially riddled with bugs.

You can always switch back to the stable OS

Running iPadOS beta can be rewarding as you get to access all the latest features and changes weeks, or even months, before the public. However, as we previously mentioned, apps or system features may break and prevent you from using your iPad properly. So if you're not willing to risk your iPad's stability, we advise you to stick to stable iPadOS releases. That being said, you can always switch back to the stable iPadOS build if you don't like the beta experience, and it is a fairly simple task.