Since the introduction of iOS 16.4, users of the iPhone have had access to a new feature: the Beta Updates menu, located in the Settings app under General → Software Update. For members of Apple’s Developer Program, this menu will allow them to easily enable iOS developer betas on their iPhone without needing to install a configuration profile from Apple’s Developer website. This menu is only visible if the user has an Apple ID that is linked to their Developer Program.
Going forward, Apple has stated that the Beta Updates menu will be the only method of activating iOS developer betas – this change will block those who haven’t paid the $99 yearly fee to enroll in Apple’s Developer Program from gaining free access to the iOS 17 developer beta that is set to be released this June at the WWDC annual event.
Until now, a popular website amongst users for fraudulently accessing the developer beta for free was called BetaProfiles.dev. The site offered profiles for users to download and bypass the subscription fee, and it still appears to be live despite Apple’s crackdown last year. They sent numerous DMCA takedown notices to Twitter for numerous tweets that contained links leading to the IPSW.dev website.
For those of us who do not want to be paying the $99 fee, we will have to wait until the public beta of iOS 17 is released. Apple offers their public Beta Software Program for free to users but it is not yet certain if it will be possible to install the iOS 17 developer beta for free, and if so, the process will be far more tedious. We may see a reintroduction of the former policy Apple had of only permitting beta Installation Profile (.ipsw) for those registered with an Apple developer account, so stay on the lookout for any updates. Comment below if you have any insights!
