Considering beta testing this year

As someone who has tested both apps and betas, I'll keep it simple. As an example only, let's say the bug was: When double-tapping on Settings while running
VoiceOver, Settings does not open. Note this is a fictional bug and not a real one. Anyway, continuing with our example: I go to the Feedback app and get
ready to send feedback. But first, I want to try a few things:

list of 1 items
1. Does a restart fix it? Nope, tried it; it doesn't.
list end

Okay, so now I'm going to do a screen recording. I did that. I fill out the feedback. The title should be: While running VoiceOver, if I double-tap on
Settings, nothing happens. I then answer questions like what TTS am I using, when did this happen, etc. I then write how to reproduce it:

Hi, I am a VoiceOver user. When I double-tap on Settings, nothing happens. Expected result is Settings opens. Please see the attached screen recording.
Thanks for fixing this ASAP.

If you don't have access to a computer, you won't be able to roll back if anything goes wrong. You'll have to just stick it out until the public release drops and then unenroll your device.

I've tested a few beta versions of iOS without having a computer and for the most part I've had no issues. I did get hit with the nasty bug during the 13 beta where VO would become totally responsive after hanging up a call and the only way to fix it was to restart your device, but without any idea when your device restarted, it resulted in a few unintended calls to emergency services.

I've never had an app that didn't work, but I know someone who last year had to roll back because an ap they used wouldn't work with the beta. Apple Insider has a great article telling people to resist the shiny new thing and let others beta test unless you really want to report stuff.

I'm tempted because, I, too, want to play with Braille Access, but I haven't decided if I'll install the public beta this year yet.

Unless you have a secondary device, I'd advise against it unless you're willing to go in feat first with the risks. That being said, if you don't have a secondary device, at least wait for public to role out if you wanna still help with the process. I may do public again but being as I don't have another phone, I'm not sure, as I had a scary situation last time and while out and about I might add Lol. Use my phone a lot and can't have stuff break on me.

Hi

If you don’t have a computer don’t install the beta

For me at least i can’t get into software update, when i try it just says unable to check for a software update, yes, wi-fi is on so i will need a computer to update to beta 2 when it comes

Dennis can you or someone test to make sure it’s not just a me thing?

Open settings, general, software update and tell me what happens for you

Thanks

I, too, have wanted to beta-test these Apple updates but don't have a secondary phone or secondary Mac. I've beta-tested a few things though for the phone. It just seems as though these Mac updates take forever to install for me. By forever, I mean days or even weeks. In other words, I'll try one or 2 days but the update won't finish. So I'll have to go back and repeat the process another day. In the end these updates are successful and all is well, but it's just a bit perplexing to me. I've tried powering off my phone, but this still happens.

for the most part, I've had positive experiences with the betas. Keep in mind, I've only tested using public betas, as I can't afford a developer account. I've never run into a problem that forced me to roll back, and I never backed any of my OS stuff to a computer. This is, I'll stress, not best practice; do NOT try this at home. That being said, if you have both an iPhone and iPad, you can decide which one you want to install the beta on, as I usually do. That way, one device is always stable, or stable enough, while you play with the shiny new toy. I may check out the beta of MacOS Tahoe later in the public beta cycle, but perhaps not. I depend on VMWare fusion, and third party apps can and do break when testing beta software.

First off, per my experience, betas have been relatively smooth. That said, if you’re going to beta test, especially if you’re starting, do this on a secondary device. I myself do have a computer, so if needed, I can roll back, however, I have never needed to do so yet, however, given that you don’t have a computer, I would definitely advise installing it on I’m guessing your secondary device is your iPad? if you want to beta test, as I said before, do it on a secondary device.
@Brian Oh God, that sounds... Bad. I know which bug your talking about, got it too during that time but, I never got the calling emergency services... Oof. Kind of nerve-racking, I imagine, as in the states, per what I know, they do not take lightly to this sort of thing. If you do it once? Maybe. But if you do it more than once? That can put one in... Kinda deep water, from what I know; yikes!
Also, just to clear things up, if you want to beta test Mac, you do not need a secondary Mac. Just create a separate, APFS volume, and data test on the second volume. That way, if something goes wrong, your primary volume with all your data will not be affected. once you’re done testing, you can just log back in to your primary volume, and delete the APS volume used for beta testing.

I am updating to iOS 26 Beta on my iPhone SE, Third Generation, without a developer account. Apple has made changes quietly since two years ago? Whereas anyone brave enough can update to the developer or public betas, by going to settings/general/software update and turn beta updates on. Note you will need to sign in with your Apple ID to enrol in the developer betas. The only time you will need to pay now is if you wish to submit apps to the app store, for example. Happy testing!