If you're a developer looking to take a peek at iOS 10.3, here's how to install the developer beta.
Update February 27, 2017: Apple has just released iOS 10.3 beta 4 for developers. If you have a previous iOS 10 beta installed, you can head to Settings > General > Software Updates and get started downloading. Note that this update moves your device's file system over to the Apple File System, making downgrading difficult. If you were waiting for beta 4 to get started with iOS 10.3 testing, keep reading and we'll help you get set up.
iOS 10.2 is on its way with new features, several that require lots of third-party developer input. As such, the company is releasing developer betas so that software engineers can get a head start on making great software for you.
How to make an archived backup of your iPhone or iPad
How to register your device with the iOS 10.3 developer beta
How to install the iOS 10.3 developer beta
How to get started with the iOS 10.3 beta
How to make an archived backup of your iPhone or iPad
Before you begin, make sure you back up your iPhone or iPad. While the beta process is fairly straight forward, any time you make any significant change to your device you risk problems. And with your personal data, it's always — always! — better to be safe than sorry. Even if you back up every night, you'll want to make sure it's absolutely up-to-date.
Plug iPhone or iPad into your Mac or Windows PC.
Launch iTunes.
Click on the iPhone or iPad icon in the menu bar when it appears.
Make sure backup is set to This Computer. (And enable Encrypted backup — it's worth it!)
Click on Back Up Now. (Click on Encrypt Backup and add a password — you want the security.)
Back up Apps, if asked.
Press Command, to open Preferences. (Or go to iTunes in the menu bar and click on Preferences.
Click on the Devices tab.
Option-click on your Backup and choose Archive.
Archiving will prevent your current backup from being overwritten by an iOS 10 backup in the future, should you want to revert for any reason.
How to register your account for the iOS 10.3 beta
Before you do anything else, make sure you have a developer account with Apple — without a paid account, you won't be able to download any non-Xcode betas.
Thanks to Apple's configuration profile, you can download iOS betas directly on your iPhone or iPad, no Mac required! (You can still install iOS 10 on your iPhone or iPad by connecting your device to iTunes, but you'll need to be running the Xcode beta first. The method listed below is generally a lot faster, with fewer wires.)
Go to developer.apple.com on your iPhone or iPad.
Click on the "Download New Betas" tab.
Log in with your developer account's username and password.
Go to the iOS 10.3 beta section and tap the down arrow to expand downloads.
Click Download next to Configuration Profile.
When it asks which device you'd like to use, select iPhone.
The Beta software profile will appear on your phone. Tap Install. You may need to enter your Passcode.
Agree to the Consent form and press Install once in the upper right corner, and once at the bottom of the screen.
Press Restart to apply the changes to your iPhone.
How to install the iOS 10.3 beta
To install the iOS 10.3 beta, you'll need to visit Software Update on your iPhone or iPad.
Launch Settings from your Home screen, tap on General, then tap on Software Update.
Once the update appears, tap on Download and Install.
Enter your Passcode.
Tap Agree to the Terms and Conditions.
Tap Agree again to confirm.
Your iPhone or iPad will reboot to install iOS 10.3. There will be a couple progress bars going across the screen. Sit tight, and let everything finish.
How to get started with iOS 10.3 beta
Once your iPhone or iPad reboots, it'll be running iOS 10.3. There's a brief bit of setup you'll need to go through, however, as the system will have changed enough that it'll need your login to complete the update.
Tap Continue.
Enter your Apple ID password. iCloud settings will update, so give it a minute.
Tap Get Started.
Once that's done, you'll be on the Home screen and ready to rock iOS 10.
What if I want to go back to iOS 10.2.1?
iOS 10.3 beta 1 updates your device's file system to the new Apple File System (APFS). As such, you won't be able to downgrade once the update is complete.
What's new in iOS 10?
So much! We've written a bunch about the new operating system, including a detailed FAQ and sections on its new user interface, Lock screen, Messages app, and lots more.
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