Apple’s iOS 12 Beta Version Begins Rolling out to Users

Apple new iOS 12 beta operating system was showcased at its developer conference in early June.

Apple Senior VP Craig Federighi introduces the new iOS 12.

(Photo: Twitter/@2shar)

Apple has released the beta version of its iOS 12 operating system ahead of its final roll out. The beta version helps figure out real world testing before the software officially launches.

Apple is letting interested users test the iOS 12 pre- release beta version, which is now ready for public download along with a built-in Feedback Assistant app to give Apple information about user experience, before it finally rolls out.

The company gave users a sneak preview of iOS 12 at its developer conference, WWDC, on 4 June.

If you're one of those interested in trying out the beta version, you will have to go through the public beta download and install process.

So, we're going to walk you through what’s new about iOS 12, which devices will be compatible with this OS version? Here’s everything you need to know.

Compatible Devices

Among iPads, the iOS 12 will be rolled out for devices as old as the iPad mini 2 (Image: The Quint)

(Image: TheQuint)

5 new features in iOS 12 beta release

There are some new features you won’t be able to access in the iOS 12 beta version because third-party apps aren’t available yet.

Animoji just got a whole lot more personal. You can completely customise your own virtual avatar, called a Memoji. Change everything from hair color, to skin tone, to facial hair. Just like regular Animoji, your Memoji uses the Face ID camera to keep track of your facial expressions.

Memoji – your personal customised Animoji on iOS 12.(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@AlphaFoxWarfare)

You can even make group Face Time calls with up to 32 people, with or without Memojis, but it is right now not part of the beta version yet.

Apple wants to help manage your screen time with a new feature called, you guessed it, Screen Time. In settings you can see a break down of how much time you've spent on the phone and it also shows the most used apps. If you tap into it you can also limit the amount of time you spend in individual apps by tapping the hourglass. Or in the app limit section, you can manage how long you spend in certain categories of apps like social networking or entertainment.

this is what screen time will look like(Photo Courtesy: Apple)

Do Not Disturb has a new bedtime mode available in the control centre on the phone that stops notifications appearing on the lock screen and shows a dim display with just the time and date. Rather than showing every single notification in one long stream, now you also can group them together by type. Your multiple text messages, will all appear together in one stack.

The new “Do Not Disturb’’ feature(Photo Courtesy: Apple)

Apple’s AR Kit 2 also features a new measuring app in iOS 12, that uses the camera to measure real-world object. Just tap to add points on the object and see the measurement on screen. Some existing apps are also getting a visual overhaul, including stocks, voice memos, and books.

The new measuring app can be used to measure objects, get automatic measurements of things like photos and tables, and lot more.(Image : AP)

Siri now lets you create your orange shortcuts to make custom commands. So if you wanted to say something like “Hey Siri, let's go on a bike ride,” it could bring up the weather, directions on a map, and set a reminder to bring your helmet. This will all happen from a new shortcuts app which again is not yet on the beta version.

Shortcuts on Siri was Apple’s big showcase at the WWDC 2018 keynote. (Photo Courtesy: Apple)

These are just a few of the new features in the new iOS 12 public beta release , but there’s many more to come, including AR games and improvements in performance. As this is the developer preview, features are subject to change.

Itching to try out iOS 12 beta release?

If you want to try out iOS 12, there are only two thing that you have to do. First enroll your iOS device by signing up for the Apple Beta Software Program and then download the profile button on your iPad/iPhone/Mac and just tap allow to get the profile installed on your devices. Then restart the device on the next popup and just go to the Setting>General>Software Update>Download and click Install. You can now use the beta version of the operating system.

Apple has some more guided support here.