The public beta version of iOS 18 is now available from Apple. Discover the new features and learn how to download it for your iPhone.

• Apple on Monday released a preview version of its big new iPhone update.
• The upcoming iOS 18 preview is a beta version of the software that will be released alongside new iPhones this fall, enabling Apple enthusiasts and developers to evaluate the latest features prior to their official launch.
• This year, Apple Intelligence won't be available in the public beta, but users can try it out later this summer, according to Apple.

on Monday released a preview version of its big new iPhone update.

The upcoming iOS 18 public preview is a beta version of the software that will be released alongside new iPhones this fall, allowing users and developers to test the latest features before they are officially launched and identify any bugs before all iPhone users install the new software.

Apple Intelligence, an AI service that can answer questions, control devices, and generate images, is not yet in public beta this year.

Apple Intelligence, which includes ChatGPT integration and Siri improvements, will be released in a beta version this fall, allowing users to try it out this summer. However, some of the promised features, such as ChatGPT integration and Siri improvements, are not expected to be released until later this year.

The new version of iOS will bring about significant changes in the appearance and feel of iPhones, potentially catching users off guard upon installation. Apple has made updates to several key user interface components, including the lock screen, home screen, and Control Center, to accommodate a broader spectrum of color options and personalization.

Top apps such as Photos have been redesigned, with Messages now featuring a more colorful interface and support for emoji reactions. Additionally, users can customize their app icons by changing their color.

Although Android users have had access to many visual customization options for years, iPhone users will experience these features for the first time with the recent software update. This is part of a long-term plan by Apple to allow for greater flexibility in the design of the iPhone.

Here are some of the big changes in iOS 18:

• Users can now place icons on the home screen, such as arranging all their apps around the edges to improve visibility of the wallpaper.
• You can change the color of app icons to dark mode or have iOS change all your app icons to the same color.
• The Control Center menu on Apple devices, which is accessed by swiping down from the top right corner, has been made more customizable with multiple pages of screens and includes new types of controls.
• Users can customize their lock screen shortcuts by swapping out the camera and flashlight icons for other apps.
• The Photos app of Apple is undergoing a major update with a redesign. The app now employs AI technology to categorize photos into trips or albums, which are displayed prominently on the first page when the app is launched.
• The Messages app from Apple now allows users to add bold or italics to text and react to messages with any emoji. The "tapbacks" that result from these reactions are now displayed in color within the app.

• Recent iOS 18 users with compatible devices can send text messages through satellite communication if they lack Wi-Fi or cellular service.
• In Safari, you can access features such as summarizing news and web articles, as well as generating tables of contents, by clicking on the button located on the left side of the URL bar.
• Apple has consolidated all of its password management features into a new app called Passwords.
• Users can tap an iPhone against another iPhone to quickly transfer digital money.
• iPhones can now generate transcripts from calls or recordings.
• The Siri animation now takes over the entire iPhone screen.

Here's how to download the beta:

• To ensure your phone can run the latest software, it must have been released in 2018 or later.
• Update to the latest public version of iOS.
• In the Settings app, navigate to General > Software Update and choose the iOS 18 public beta from the dropdown menu.