Apple will prevent non-developers from installing iPhone betas. Do you want to experience the thrill of accessing new iOS and iPhone or iPad features without being a developer enabled by paying the $99 Apple Developer Program? Until today it was very easy but in the coming months everything seems destined to change.
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The mechanism by which Apple has spread access to beta versions of operating systems on the iPhone and iPad in recent years involved downloading a profile from the company’s website in the section reserved for developers.
Once downloaded, the profile could simply be sent to a collaborator but also sent to a curious friend or even put online on sites created for the purpose without any further control by Apple.
Non-public betas available to everyone
Over the years, this type of behavior has led to various problems: the indiscriminate use of beta versions on commonly used devices leads to security problems, malfunctioning of Apps not yet adapted to the new OS and Apple losing control of development.
In addition, an iPhone that works with a non-optimized operating system can lead to malfunctions that make the user lose confidence in the quality of the device even if it was the user himself who broke a rule of conduct.
Finally, “free” access for curiosity alone made the paid option lose attractiveness for the same reason, generating potential losses for Apple.
How to solve the problem? What’s new in iOS 16.4?
It seems that Apple has every intention of limiting the phenomenon of “widespread” and unauthorized downloading of Betas, at least those intended for developers, while it will continue to offer the possibility of using public betas that are already sufficiently stabilized.
Starting from iOS 16.4 under the Settings menu item, a new menu appears under the General item which indicates whether the user can update his iPhone with a Beta in the public version or in the developer version. In the image below we see the screen that appears to those who have a public beta.
In order to download a developer beta, the user must be registered in the Apple developer program but cannot download a generic profile that can be passed on to third parties, but must install the software on a device linked to an Apple ID corresponding to the one registered in the Developer Program.
Obviously, given that companies with numerous employees belong to a single registration in the developer program, the authorized users will be those who are listed with their own Apple ID in the list deposited with Apple. If the company wants to allow collaborators to download, they will be able to do so but obviously they will be authorized under their “wing”, which those who until now have provided anonymous profiles for installing the betas will not be able to do.
