Simplified iOS 16.4 Beta Installation Method Expands to Latest macOS Ventura 13.4 and watchOS 9.5 Betas

With the launch of iOS 16.4, Apple introduced a new beta installation method for those who are enrolled in Apple's Developer Program or who use the public beta testing option.

macos ventura 13 4 beta updates
The changes were exclusive to iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4, but now Apple is expanding them to macOS and watchOS with the macOS 13.4 and watchOS 9.5 betas that were released to developers today. Developers and public beta testers enrolled in Apple's respective programs can toggle on beta updates directly from System Settings on the Mac, and the Software Update section in the Watch app on iPhone.

beta updates watchos 9 5
Apple's new beta installation method replaces the profiles that have previously been used for installing both developer and public watchOS and macOS updates. On the developer side, enabling betas now requires an Apple ID enrolled in the Apple Developer Program.

Using a developer profile without an associated developer account is no longer a possibility, so only registered developers will be able to get access to the developer beta going forward. The same goes for the public betas, though access to the public beta program is free and open to anyone, unlike the developer program, which costs $99 per year.

For minor beta updates, the changes won't have a big impact, but when iOS 17, iPadOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS 14 are announced, the ‌Apple ID‌ requirement will prevent those who do not have a developer account from being able to install the developer betas. In past years, non-developers have been able to use shared developer profiles to get early access to new software.

Related Roundups: watchOS 10, watchOS 11
Related Forums: Apple Watch, macOS Ventura

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16

Friday July 19, 2024 7:16 am PDT by
Apple will adopt the same rear chassis manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 that it is using for the upcoming standard iPhone 16, claims a new rumor coming out of China. According to the Weibo-based leaker "Fixed Focus Digital," the backplate manufacturing process for the iPhone SE 4 is "exactly the same" as the standard model in Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup, which is expected to...
iPhone 16 Pro Sizes Feature

iPhone 16 Series Is Just Two Months Away: Everything We Know

Monday July 15, 2024 4:44 am PDT by
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
bsod

Crowdstrike Says Global IT Outage Impacting Windows PCs, But Mac and Linux Hosts Not Affected

Friday July 19, 2024 3:12 am PDT by
A widespread system failure is currently affecting numerous Windows devices globally, causing critical boot failures across various industries, including banks, rail networks, airlines, retailers, broadcasters, healthcare, and many more sectors. The issue, manifesting as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), is preventing computers from starting up properly and forcing them into continuous recovery...
iphone 14 lineup

Cellebrite Unable to Unlock iPhones on iOS 17.4 or Later, Leak Reveals

Thursday July 18, 2024 4:18 am PDT by
Israel-based mobile forensics company Cellebrite is unable to unlock iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later, according to leaked documents verified by 404 Media. The documents provide a rare glimpse into the capabilities of the company's mobile forensics tools and highlight the ongoing security improvements in Apple's latest devices. The leaked "Cellebrite iOS Support Matrix" obtained by 404 Media...
Apple Watch Series 9

2024 Apple Watch Lineup: Key Changes We're Expecting

Tuesday July 16, 2024 7:59 am PDT by
Apple is seemingly planning a rework of the Apple Watch lineup for 2024, according to a range of reports from over the past year. Here's everything we know so far. Apple is expected to continue to offer three different Apple Watch models in five casing sizes, but the various display sizes will allegedly grow by up to 12% and the casings will get taller. Based on all of the latest rumors,...
tinypod apple watch

TinyPod Turns Your Apple Watch Into an iPod

Wednesday July 17, 2024 3:18 pm PDT by
If you have an old Apple Watch and you're not sure what to do with it, a new product called TinyPod might be the answer. Priced at $79, the TinyPod is a silicone case with a built-in scroll wheel that houses the Apple Watch chassis. When an Apple Watch is placed inside the TinyPod, the click wheel on the case is able to be used to scroll through the Apple Watch interface. The feature works...

Top Rated Comments

Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
17 months ago
I wish you could update all devices from a Mac or iPhone.
You can already update HomePods and watches this way, why not everything?
And they usually release all updates for devices at the same time, so an “update all” button would be obvious.
The days of running to the AppleTV to update that, then running to the iMac to update that, then running to the iPhone… just do it all at once.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anshuvorty Avatar
17 months ago
This is how it should've been from the beginning. Windows has a similar option, but it isn't as graceful, UI-wise.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Audentia Avatar
17 months ago
This is much better. Simpler and everyone gets the beta they should get. dev betas are pretty rough and should not be used by the public anyway, everyone will be happier with public betas if they are just patient.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
anshuvorty Avatar
17 months ago

I wish you could update all devices from a Mac or iPhone.
You can already update HomePods and watches this way, why not everything?
And they usually release all updates for devices at the same time, so an “update all” button would be obvious.
The days of running to the AppleTV to update that, then running to the iMac to update that, then running to the iPhone… just do it all at once.
Do you know strained the update servers would be if everyone’s devices updated all at once?

Hence, why the update isn’t pushed all at once.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
17 months ago

Do you know strained the update servers would be if everyone’s devices updated all at once?

Hence, why the update isn’t pushed all at once.
The vast majority of people do not update on day one.
This would not change
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleTO Avatar
17 months ago
For some reason my account gives me the option of the developer beta even though I’ve never been a part of the developer program. That’s odd.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)