Apple is expected to announce the latest iteration of its OS for iPhone and iPad devices — iOS 12 — at WWDC 2018. The update will be first released as a developer beta build which only users with a paid developer account can download and install on their iOS devices.

To download iOS 12 developer beta, you will need a developer account added to your iPhone along with a developer configuration profile to receive the update over-the-air directly on your iPhone.

There are two ways you can install iOS 12 developer beta on your iPhone or iPad. The easier one is to install a configuration profile on your iPhone to get the beta update over-the-air, OR you can download the iOS 12 developer beta restore image (ipsw) from developer.apple.com/download and install iOS 12 via iTunes on your iPhone.

Note: Before you get started with either of the methods, make sure you create a backup of your device with iTunes and archive it on your Mac or Windows PC.

How to install iOS 12 developer beta OTA on iPhone or iPad

  1. Go to developer.apple.com/download using Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad, and log in with your developer account Apple ID.
  2. Scroll down until you see iOS 12 beta section, and click on the Download button next to it to download the configuration profile on your device.
  3. When prompted, install the configuration profile by following the on-screen instructions.
  4. Reboot your device after installing the profile.
  5. Once the reboot is complete, go to Settings » General » Software Update, you’ll see that iOS 12 developer beta update is available for download.
  6. Download and Install the iOS 12 beta update on your iPhone.

How to install iOS 12 developer beta using Restore Image (.ipsw file) via iTunes

  1. Go to developer.apple.com/download using Safari browser on your iPhone or iPad, and log in with your developer account Apple ID.
  2. You’ll see an iOS Restore Images heading under the iOS 12 beta section. Click on the See all button next to iOS Restore Images.
  3. Find your device in the list and click on the Download button next to it to download a .ipsw firmware file for your device on your PC.
  4. Open iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC. We’re using a Windows PC for this post.
  5. Connect your iPhone/iPad to the PC using the original USB cable that came with your device.
  6. If a Trust This Computer pop-up shows on your device’ screen, make sure to click on Trust.
  7. If you’re connecting your iPhone/iPad first time with iTunes, you’ll get a “Do you want to allow this computer..” pop-up on screen, select Continue. Also, when iTunes greets you with a Welcome to Your New iPhone screen, select Set up as new iPhone and click on the Continue button.
  8. Once your device is shown on the iTunes screen, press & hold the SHIFT key and click the Check for Update button in iTunes to select the Restore Image file.
    └ If you’re on Mac, press and hold the Options key and click on the Update button in iTunes.
  9. Select the Restore Image file (.ipsw) you downloaded in Step 3 above.
  10. You’ll get a prompt on PC “iTunes will update your iPhone to iOS 12..”, hit the Update button to continue.
  11. iTunes will now start the update process by first extracting the Restore Image file. You can monitor the progress in the top bar on iTunes screen.
  12. When asked for a passcode, pick up your iPhone and enter your passcode while keeping it connected to the PC.
  13. iTunes will now update your iPhone to iOS 12.

  14. Once iTunes part is done, your phone will reboot and continue the installation. You’ll see the Apple logo with a progress bar on your phone’s screen.
  15. After installation is finished, your iPhone will reboot into the system, and you’ll be greeted with an Update Complete screen on the phone.

That’s it. This is how you can update your iPhone to iOS 12 developer beta when it releases on 4th June.