iOS 18 developer beta 8 is here

Apple has released the eighth beta of iOS 18. The launch for all users, planned for mid-September, is getting closer and closer. Apple has now switched to only eliminating problems and making optimizations. New features will no longer be added.

Countdown to the big iOS update

Apple has released the eighth beta version of iOS 18 for developers. With the build number 22A5350a, the Cupertino company is approaching the final stretch for the big fall update. According to Apple, the final version of iOS 18 will be released in September – if Apple follows the schedule as in previous years, availability is expected to start shortly after the launch of the iPhone 16. The latest beta version now focuses mainly on performance improvements and bug fixes. New features are no longer to be expected in this phase.

Bloomberg analyst Mark Gurman has already reported that the seventh beta version of iOS 18 for current iPhones is “final”. This means that Apple is now working on stability and performance. However, there is no official “release candidate”. Before the iPhone event, Apple will launch at least one, probably even two more updates in the iOS 18 beta program. Apple is known to have postponed the most anticipated AI features to iOS 18.1. So iOS 18 will be delivered next month without these extensions.

Schedule and availability

Apple plans to release iOS 18 shortly after the launch of the iPhone 15. The event has been announced for September 9, and iOS 18 can be expected to be released about a week later.

New features at a glance

iOS 18 introduces some interesting new features:

• More flexible home screen design: Apps can be placed freely
• Revised lock screen with new widget options
• Enhanced Messages app with text effects and scheduled messages
• New Passwords app for improved password management
• Ability to lock and hide apps

Developer Program

Registered developers can participate in the betas by opening the Settings app on their device, going to the Software Update section, tapping the “Beta Updates” option and activating the beta setting there. To download and install the beta, the Apple ID linked to the respective user account is always required.

In parallel with iOS 18, Apple is also testing beta versions of iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, macOS Sonoma and watchOS 10. These updates are expected to be released at the same time as or shortly after iOS 18. What do you think of the new features shown so far in iOS 18? Are you looking forward to certain features or are you missing something important?