Facing Errors While Updating to iOS 18 Beta? Here Are Answers to Your Problems

Photo by Szabo Viktor on Unsplash

If you are getting errors while trying to get iOS 18 beta on your iPhone, my experience in successfully installing it might help you.

At WWDC 2024, Apple unveiled the upcoming major OS upgrade for iPhones and iPads — iOS 18. As soon as it was announced, I was eager to get my hands on it due to the exciting features it promised.

The official stable version of iOS 18 will be released with the new iPhone 16 in September. However, with the release of the iOS 18 beta, Apple enthusiasts have the opportunity to experience the latest features and improvements before the official launch.

If you are using iPhone XS or above and it’s running iOS 16.4 or later, you are eligible for the iOS 18 beta. I faced some difficulties in the update process, but you don’t have to.

Follow this step-by-step guide based on expert advice and my own experience to install the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone.

Prepare your iPhone to Install iOS 18 Beta

Before attempting to install iOS 18 on your device, first ensure that it meets the necessary requirements. If not, prepare it for the installation.

1. Compatibility Check

iOS 18 is compatible with the following devices:

• iPhone 15 series
• iPhone 14 series
• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone 12 series
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)

2. Storage Check

The iOS 18 beta is around 7 GB in size. However, please ensure that you have at least 10 GB of free storage.

3. Backup Your Data

Before any major software update, it’s crucial to back up your iPhone. iOS 18 is is beta phase and highly unstable currently so you might require backup to undo the changes. Use iCloud or iTunes to create a secure copy of your data. If you don’t backup, you won’t be able to switch back to the previous version.

4. iOS Version

You are required to install iOS 16.4 on your device before going for the iOS 18 beta.

5. Stable Internet Connection

A reliable Wi-Fi connection is essential for downloading and installing the iOS 18 beta without any interruptions.

How to Install iOS 18 Beta on iPhone

Step 1: Enroll in the Beta Program

To install iOS 18 beta on your iPhone, you must first enroll in Apple’s Beta Program. Here are the steps for that:

1. Open Safari on your iPhone and navigate to the Apple Beta Software Program website. Remember to use only the Safari browser and not other third-party browsers like Chrome.
2. If you are using the Beta program for the first time, tap on Sign up.
3. If you have already enrolled in the Apple Beta Program, sign in using your Apple ID credentials. Remember to use the same Apple ID you already use with your phone.
4. Enroll your device by following the provided instructions.
5. After signing up or signing in, scroll down to the Get Started section. Under it, click the “enroll your iOS device” link.
6. Next, you will be asked to perform a backup. It is highly recommended, but you can skip this.
7. Now, follow these steps depending on your iOS version:
8. Click the Open Beta Updates button if your iPhone runs on iOS 16.4 or later.
9. If your iPhone is running iOS 16.3 or earlier, click the “download the configuration profile” link and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 2: Install the iOS Beta Update

After successfully enrolling in the beta program, iOS 18 beta should now be available on your device.

Follow these steps to install it:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Navigate to General and then select Software Update.
3. Tap on the Beta Updates option.
4. You should spot the iOS 18 Public Beta update available. Tap on it.
5. Next, tap the Download and Install button at the bottom.
6. The downloading will begin and take some time, depending on your internet speed.
7. After the download is completed, the installation process will commence, and your device will restart during this phase.
8. Finally, the phone will be restarted with the iOS 18 Beta.
9. Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update to verify the iOS version.

FAQs to Troubleshoot “Unable to Update to iOS 18 Beta”

If you are facing issues while joining the beta program, I have covered them for you. Here are solutions to some FAQs.

1. I am getting the “This Apple ID is not valid or not supported” error while enrolling in the beta program. How to fix it?

If you are getting the message “This Apple ID is not valid or not supported,” it means you have registered your Apple ID using your phone number. Many iPhone users have mentioned in forums that they are unable to join beta or developer programs with their Apple ID, and almost all of them have created their Apple ID using their phone numbers.

To solve this issue, either create and use a different Apple ID created using an email account or remove the number and add the email to your current Apple ID.

If you like to follow the second option, follow these steps on your iPhone device:

1. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and tap your profile section on the top.
2. Next, push the Sign-In & Security option.
3. Tap the Edit button next to the Email and Phone Numbers section.
4. Add an email address that you like to make your Apple ID.
5. Now tap the “-” icon on your Apple Account section and select Delete.
6. Choose the above-added email address to replace the phone number as Apple ID.

That’s it. Now, use this email address to enroll in the beta program, and you’ll receive updates.

2. I am getting the error “Your Apple ID is not eligible to use this application at this time” when enrolling for the iOS 18 beta. How do I solve this?

Again, this error is encountered by users who have created their Apple ID using a mobile number and NOT an email ID. So, the solution for it is the same — either create a new Apple ID using an email and use it for installing iOS 18 or modify your current Apple ID by replacing the mobile number with an email ID. The steps are the same as mentioned in the previous response.

3. I have successfully enrolled in the Apple beta program, but iOS 18 updates are still not showing on my device.

If you have enrolled in Apple’s beta program and iOS 18 beta updates are still not showing on your device, then perform the following checks:

• Ensure that you use the same ID for enrolling that you are using on your device.
• Make sure your device has at least 10–12 GB of free space.
• Force restart your iPhone once. For that, press the volume up button, then the volume down button, and then press and hold the power button.
• If you are trying to update on the mobile network, try resetting the network settings.

If you are still not getting the updates, follow these steps:

1. After enrolling in Apple’s beta program, go to the App Store and download the “Apple Developer” app.
2. Open the app and switch to the Account section from the bottom.
3. Now, sign in with the same Apple ID, the one you have used to enroll for the beta program, and the one you are using on your iPhone.
4. Force restart your iPhone and check for the updates now.

4. Can I revert to the previous iOS version after beta installation?

Yes, you can revert to the previous version, but it usually involves erasing your device and restoring it from a backup.

5. Will installing the beta version erase my data?

While data loss is unlikely, it’s always wise to back up your data before installing any beta software.

Experience iOS 18 Before the Official Release

Installing the iOS 18 beta is an exciting opportunity to experience the future of iPhone software ahead of its official release. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can safely install the beta and explore its innovative features. Keep in mind the potential risks of beta software, and consider using a secondary device to avoid any disruptions to your daily usage.