Apple releases eighth betas of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, watchOS 7 [u]
As the launch of new iPhones quickly approaches, Apple has moved on to its eighth round of developer betas, making available the the eighth builds of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 for download.
Builds of each operating system can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center by those taking part in the testing program, along with the option to perform an over-the-air software update for devices already enrolled into the scheme. A public beta is typically made available shortly after the developer version is distributed, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.
Round eight takes over from the seventh round, which commenced on September 1, which itself followed the sixth on August 25. Previous rounds commenced on August 18, August 4, July 22, July 7, and June 22.
While most of the betas are on the eighth round, macOS is still on its sixth build. With the expected launch of the operating systems in tandem with new products like the "iPhone 12," the betas may become more frequent, and may not include all operating systems with each round.
For iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the Home Screen has received some major changes, along with updates to Messages and Safari, Siri's interface, and Maps. The operating system also adds Sound Recognition alerts and CarKey, among other items.
The watchOS 7 update introduces enhanced Sleep Tracking, as well as new faces with sharing options, and new workout types.
The Home app is being brought to tvOS 14, with further changes to HomeKit Secure Video and Apple Arcade.
Testing of macOS Big Sur, or macOS 11, is mainly to shakedown the Mac operating system ahead of Apple's launch of Macs using Apple Silicon, with it intended to work with both chips of its own design and Intel processors. Changes in the software include design updates within Safari, as well as Messages becoming a Mac Catalyst app.
Both AppleInsider and Apple strongly suggest users avoid installing betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, due to the potential for data loss or other issues. Instead, the recommendation is to install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to ensure there are sufficient backups of important data before making any major changes.
Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at [email protected].
Update: Apple has also released a public beta versions of iOS 14 and tvOS 14 for testing.
Builds of each operating system can be downloaded from the Apple Developer Center by those taking part in the testing program, along with the option to perform an over-the-air software update for devices already enrolled into the scheme. A public beta is typically made available shortly after the developer version is distributed, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.
Round eight takes over from the seventh round, which commenced on September 1, which itself followed the sixth on August 25. Previous rounds commenced on August 18, August 4, July 22, July 7, and June 22.
While most of the betas are on the eighth round, macOS is still on its sixth build. With the expected launch of the operating systems in tandem with new products like the "iPhone 12," the betas may become more frequent, and may not include all operating systems with each round.
For iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the Home Screen has received some major changes, along with updates to Messages and Safari, Siri's interface, and Maps. The operating system also adds Sound Recognition alerts and CarKey, among other items.
The watchOS 7 update introduces enhanced Sleep Tracking, as well as new faces with sharing options, and new workout types.
The Home app is being brought to tvOS 14, with further changes to HomeKit Secure Video and Apple Arcade.
Testing of macOS Big Sur, or macOS 11, is mainly to shakedown the Mac operating system ahead of Apple's launch of Macs using Apple Silicon, with it intended to work with both chips of its own design and Intel processors. Changes in the software include design updates within Safari, as well as Messages becoming a Mac Catalyst app.
Both AppleInsider and Apple strongly suggest users avoid installing betas on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, due to the potential for data loss or other issues. Instead, the recommendation is to install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices, and to ensure there are sufficient backups of important data before making any major changes.
Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at [email protected].
Update: Apple has also released a public beta versions of iOS 14 and tvOS 14 for testing.