WWDC 2025 wraps up today, showcasing the exciting new features of Apple’s shiny glossy iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
The initial developer betas are now live, and anyone can register to test them out – but it’s probably not advisable. If you’re not a developer with dedicated testing devices, how long should you wait in the beta cycle before putting them on your primary devices?
The answer varies based on several factors, primarily the balance between your curiosity and your risk tolerance. Yet, regardless of how eager and adventurous you feel, there’s one piece of advice that remains constant.
Avoid the first developer beta
Developer betas are often very unstable, especially the first iteration. Most users should avoid even considering them for any device they rely on daily.
The most significant concern is with third-party applications. The purpose of these developer betas is to allow app developers to identify and address issues caused by the new operating systems prior to user experiences.
This means you can expect some of your apps to malfunction. Some may crash unexpectedly, resulting in lost work, while others might fail to launch entirely. If these apps are critical for your personal or professional use, you could find yourself in a tough situation.
Moreover, even Apple’s native apps aren’t immune. Despite Apple’s internal checks, the rapid changes leading up to WWDC can disrupt functionality, causing previously stable features to become problematic. Basic system features, such as the software keyboard, might also exhibit significant bugs.
If you absolutely must proceed, ensure you perform a complete manual backup of your device right before installing the beta. Should you need to revert (and chances are you will), the only way is to completely wipe your device and restore from that backup. If you skip this, you risk being stuck with broken features until they get resolved – which could take several betas.
For many, skip the developer betas entirely
I know, waiting for the public betas can feel lengthy, especially with all the buzz about new features. However, the risks are still present.
Developer betas improve over time … except when they don’t. It’s common for a bug to be fixed in one beta, only to reappear later. The interconnected nature of an operating system often leads to a ‘two steps forward, one step back’ scenario.
If you choose to ignore this advice, ensure you back up your files – and if one of your Apple devices is particularly valuable, it’s best to leave that one alone.
If my iPhone glitches, I could manage, but a serious issue on my Mac could have much more severe consequences. I’ve never put a developer beta on one, and I don’t plan to. For you, it might differ – if your iPhone is crucial, keep it at least six feet away from developer betas.
Public beta 2 is the optimal choice for many
If impatience drives you, you might consider trying the first public beta, but be aware that this is also when many more users begin testing, leading to the discovery of a new set of bugs.
Typically, the most critical and dangerous issues are resolved by the second public beta, making this the earliest point at which I’d recommend attempting to install a beta on your daily driver devices.
But some may still prefer to wait
As we progress through the beta cycle, safety tends to improve – but exceptions exist. If you aren’t prepared for unexpected issues, consider waiting for the full public release in the fall.
Even then, releasing the new versions to the general public can uncover additional bugs. While they should not be serious, they can still be irritating. More patient and cautious Apple users often hold out for the .1 release.
Backup, backup, backup
No matter which stage you choose, remember: installing any operating system update is a two-step process:
- Ensure you have a completely up-to-date backup.
- Then proceed with the installation of the update.
What are your thoughts on beta testing? Feel free to share in the comments.
Highlighted accessories
Image: Michael Bower/DMN based on Apple assets
