Apple only makes the iOS 6 Beta available to developers, but if you aren’t willing to plunk down the $99 for a Developer License you can still get the iOS 6 beta for $7.
The process is easy to follow, but keep in mind this is beta software so not every app will work with iOS 6 and your iPhone might behave badly.
Where to Get iOS 6 Beta Access
Visit IMZDL to register for the iOS 6 beta.
Before you can install the iOS 6 beta on your iPhone or iPad you will need to register your device with a developer account. My favorite site to do this is IMZDL, which offers UDID registrations for the iOS 6 Beta for $7 with a 24 hour turnaround.
If you can’t wait, you can register your iPhone or iPad UDID with IMZDL for $8 and have access within 2 minutes.
The free UDID Sender app will email your iPhone or iPad UDID to you for easier registration.
IMZDL is under tremendous load, so you may need to try several times to load the pages. The download links should be live soon.
How to Install the iOS 6 Beta on the iPhone 4S or iPad?
Installing the iOS 6 Beta on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 4 or iPad is straightforward, but will take some time as you will need to back up your iPhone and then restore from a backup.
1. Register your UDID with IMZDL
2. Connect your iPhone to the computer and perform a backup with iTunes.
3. Download iTunes 10.6.3 from Apple. Install the new version of iTunes.
4. Backup your iPhone or iPad again with the new version of iTunes.
5. Download the iOS 6 Beta for your iPhone or iPad from IMZDL. This could take some time, so be patient.
6. Open iTunes and upgrade to the iOS 6 Beta by choosing Restore.
- Be sure to hold alt/option on Mac when you click Restore.
- On Windows, hold Shift when you click Restore.
7. Find the .ipsw file you downloaded.
8. When the installation completes choose the most recent backup to re-install all your apps and contacts.
What Devices Work With iOS 6?
The new iOS 6 beta is compatible with many of the latest Apple iPhones and iPads, but it will not run on the original iPad.
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 4S
- iPad 2
- New iPad (3rd generation)
- iPod 4th Generation
iOS 6 Beta Warnings
Officially Apple says there is no way to downgrade from the beta back to iOS 5.1.1, but because Apple still signs iOS 5.1.1 you should be able to downgrade if things go bad. If this is a big deal, wait a few days to make sure this is a possibility.
You will need to use a computer to upgrade to iOS 6. There is currently no over-the-air update available, so grab your cord and a computer.
This is a beta. Things may not work s you normally expect them too and some apps may not work at all. Keep this in mind before you try out iOS 6. Don’t leave negative app reviews if apps don’t work. This preview is in place for developers to make their apps work with iOS 6, not for the average user.
Make sure you backup before you try any of this.