Release date

Apple released an iOS 12 Beta 8 update for developers on August 16, 2018. The new iOS 12 Beta 8 update is now available for download by developers.

Device compatibility

If your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch runs iOS 11, it will run iOS 12. That’s the short answer, but we also have a more detailed answer right here.

Core features

• Siri gets smarter, but you’ll work harder. At first. Siri Shortcuts are tasks you can create and trigger with a custom command to do things like send a text, play a podcast and get directions to your favorite ice cream shop.
• Cut down on screen time: New tools in iOS 12 show you how often you pick up your phone, how many notifications you receive, and how much time you spend using various apps. Trust us: It’s scary to see hard numbers for how long you spend on your phone.
• Better notification management: One of the main reasons we reach for our phones so often is the sheer number of alerts we receive. iOS 12 has new tools to cut back on unnecessary alerts.
• Create an Animoji of your own: Memoji is a word you’re going to hear a lot this fall. A Memoji is an animated emoji iPhone X users can create and use just like last year’s Animoji characters.
• Closing apps goes old school: Apple changed the process of force-closing apps on the iPhone X, adding in extra steps. With iOS 12, things are getting back to normal.
• Minor tweaks to Messages, but a big change to FaceTime: FaceTime was supposed to add group calls for up to 32 people, but Apple decided to remove the feature from iOS 12 for the time being.

Secret feature:

iOS 12 has a trackpad feature for easier text editing, Correcting typos has never been easier.

When can I download it?

Taking part in the beta program gives you a chance to use and provide feedback about features before they’re finished, but just keep in mind there are bound to be bugs and issues along the way.