iOS 18 Developer Beta Release Date Announced
iOS 18 Beta 2: The next developer beta of iOS 18 for iPhones is set to be released soon, specifically on Monday, June 24. This release schedule comes directly from Apple, which is unusual. In the same statement, Apple also discussed Apple Intelligence, revealing that it won’t be released in the EU this year. Apple Intelligence will only be available on the latest iPhones—the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max—as well as devices with Apple M1 or newer chips.
Challenges with Older iPhones
iOS 18 Beta 2: An update on June 14 highlighted the difficulties of running Apple Intelligence on older iPhones. Typically, Apple’s new features work on a wide range of existing hardware.
However, Apple Intelligence breaks this pattern by being restricted to only the newest iPhones. Apple’s head of AI, John Giannandrea, explained that while it’s possible to run these models on older devices, it would be so slow that it would not be practical.
Processor and Memory Requirements
iOS 18 Beta 2: This limitation is significant because even the iPhone 15, which is relatively new, does not have the necessary processing power and memory to handle Apple Intelligence effectively. According to Mark Gurman, Apple started differentiating processors in the Pro and non-Pro models with the iPhone 14 series. The iPhone 14 Pro received a new processor while the standard models kept the previous generation chip. This continued with the iPhone 15 series, where the Pro models feature the A17 Pro chip and 8GB of memory, compared to the 6GB in the standard models. Apple determined internally that 8GB is the minimum required to run Apple Intelligence.
Memory vs. Neural Engine
Interestingly, the neural engine, crucial for AI tasks, is not as much of a bottleneck as memory. Gurman notes that the neural engine is similar across M1 Macs, iPads, and iPhones 13, 14, and 15, but only the devices with more memory support Apple Intelligence. Therefore, Apple plans to increase memory in the regular iPhone 16 models this fall to support AI features, making it a key selling point.
Delayed Release in the EU
iOS 18 Beta 2: While U.S. users can test Apple Intelligence in beta this summer, the feature will be delayed in the European Union due to the Digital Markets Act, a new regulation targeting Big Tech. Alongside Apple Intelligence, iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing will also be withheld in the EU. Apple cited interoperability requirements as the reason for this delay, raising questions about how European consumers will react and whether they will pressure lawmakers over the missing features.
Update Announcement and Features
Apple typically does not provide specific release dates, so the announcement of the June 24 update, two weeks after the first beta release, aligns with their usual beta release schedule. The statement, given to The Verge on June 21, clarified the delay of Apple Intelligence in the EU due to the Digital Markets Act. The update will include two key features: iPhone Mirroring and SharePlay Screen Sharing.
iPhone Mirroring Feature
iOS 18 Beta 2: iPhone Mirroring is an exciting new feature that allows users to interact with their iPhone through their Mac. Notifications from the iPhone will appear on the Mac, and clicking on one will display the iPhone on the Mac’s screen. Users can control the iPhone using the Mac’s keyboard or trackpad, navigate home screens, interact with apps, and eventually drag and drop files between the devices.
SharePlay Screen Sharing Upgrade
SharePlay Screen Sharing, already part of iPadOS 17, is being upgraded in iPadOS 18. Users will be able to draw on their iPad screen, and the drawing will appear on a friend’s device.
This functionality extends to iPhones, allowing users to draw on their friend’s iPhone screen. Additionally, users can request permission to remote control the other device, a feature that can be particularly helpful for providing tech support to friends or family members.
Installing the iOS 18 Developer Beta 2
iOS 18 Beta 2: Apple is rolling out the second beta of iOS 18 to developers. One of the major features coming with iOS 18 beta 2 is the iPhone Mirroring that allows users to mirror their iPhone screen on Mac. The feature will support notifications, gestures for navigation, and more. Another big change coming with the update is support for new SharePlay screen sharing features. It will introduce the ability to take over and control the other person’s screen.
Registered developers can install the latest iOS update by heading to Settings > Software Update on their device. Here, tap on the ‘Beta Update’ and toggle on the iOS 18 Developer Beta setting. Anyone can try the iOS 18 beta without paying the developer fee of $99. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
Additional Beta Releases
Along with iOS 18 beta 2, Apple has also released second beta versions of iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and watchOS 11. With iPadOS 18 beta 2, Apple has implemented changes required by the Digital Markets Act in the European Union, including support for alternative browser engines and app marketplaces.
Future Release Plans
Apple is rumored to release the public beta of iOS 18 in July, with the final version launching for all users in September.
Let’s try be reasonable.