iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 public betas now rolling out: Eligible Apple devices, how to download and everything to know

Apple is now rolling out the first public beta of its new range of software first announced at WWDC 2019 for across its entire portfolio of hardware devices (minus, the Apple Watch). The iPhone, the iPad, the Mac computer, and the Apple TV are now eligible for iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 public beta updates respectively in a much broader sense – previously, the updates were limited to developers. As is the case with any beta software release, iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 public beta updates are meant largely for testing purposes, which means they aren’t meant for everybody, and they are most certainly not meant for use on primary devices. 

Apple has a dedicated landing page for those willing to take the plunge. There are also dedicated landing pages for iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 public beta separately, so you can read more about them and then choose to go further with x, y or z update. “As a member of the Apple Beta Software Program, you can take part in shaping Apple software by test-driving pre-release versions and letting us know what you think,” Apple says, adding that “you can provide feedback directly to Apple using the Feedback Assistant app.” 

Once signed up, you’ll be eligible for all subsequent beta builds, all the way through the final release in September - which is also when Apple officially rolls out the stable build of iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina and tvOS 13 for all devices. 

iOS 13 

-- Eligible Apple devices: iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone SE and iPod Touch (seventh-generation) 

-- Key stand-out feature(s): iOS 13 brings a dedicated dark mode to the iPhone (and iPad). Being a system-wide dark mode means users will be able to experience it across the length and breadth of the UI – right from the dock to native apps. Apple is also opening the feature to third-party developer who can also integrate dark mode into their apps.  

iPadOS 

-- Eligible Apple devices: iPad Pro, iPad (fifth-generation and over), iPad Mini (fourth-generation and over), iPad Air (second-generation and over) 

-- Key stand-out feature(s): iPadOS is basically iOS 13 plus new iPad-specific features. Some of these new features include, desktop-class browsing on Safari on iPad with native download manager, an even more granular files app with iCloud Drive support for folder sharing, native support for external drives and more deep-down Apple Pencil integration. 

macOS Catalina 

-- Eligible Apple devices: 

MacBook Pro (2012 and newer), MacBook (2015 and newer), MacBook Air (2012 and newer) 

Mac Pro (2013 and newer), iMac Pro (2017 and newer), iMac (2012 and newer), Mac Mini (2012 and newer) 

-- Key stand-out feature(s): There’s a lot to love about macOS Catalina – particularly, Apple’s push for bringing iPad apps to the Mac through Project Catalyst. But Catalina will be remembered for when iTunes was finally laid to rest. In macOS Catalina, Apple is replacing iTunes with three stand-alone apps, Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and Apple TV. For syncing your devices, you'll now use the macOS Finder. 

tvOS 13 

--Eligible Apple devices: Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD 

--Key stand-out feature(s): tvOS 13 brings support for multiple profiles, PlayStation/Xbox controllers and Apple Music integration to the Apple TV.