[Guide] How to legally download and install iOS beta on your device

Apple has released their second iOS 7 beta to developers and unlike certain Windows betas, you have to register in Apple's Developer program in order to get a proper copy of beta versions of Apple's software. If you are interested in trying out the latest beta on the device for yourself, check out our following step-by-step guide on how to download and install iOS beta on your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.


[NOTE] Beta software is not meant to be used on a day to day basis as it is still undergoing development. The software may have bugs which can damage your device so please do not proceed unless you fully understand and accept the risks.

[NOTE] The iOS 7 beta is currently only available to supported devices. Please only proceed with this guide if you own one of the supported devices.

[NOTE] You will need the latest version of iTunes in order to install iOS 7 beta. Make sure you download iTunes 11.0.4 before you proceed.

[NOTE] Keep in mind that there is no straightforward means of downgrading back to iOS 6.x.x after installing the iOS 7.0 beta.

1. Register on the iOS Dev Center by heading over to developer.apple.com/programs/ios/ on your web browser.
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2. Click Enroll Now ($99/year in the United States, or £60/year in the UK) review the information and click Continue.
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3. At this point you will be asked to either sign in with your Apple ID or to create a new one.
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4. If you select sign in (or after you have created a new Apple ID) you will be asked to select if you belong to a Company/Organization or if you are an individual developer. Review the information and select accordingly.
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5. Next you will be asked to sign in with your Apple ID. If you ignored the previous opportunity to create an Apple ID, you can do so now in order to continue.
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6. In the next page you will be asked to fill in your personal information including your credit card information.
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7. Next you will have to find and register your device’s UDID on the developer’s portal. You can find UDID by connecting your device to iTunes, selecting it, and then clicking on the serial number to reveal the UDID. You can copy it by ctrl+c on Windows, or command+C on Mac.
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8. Once you have the UDID, navigate to developer.apple.com/account/ios/device/deviceList.action in your web browser, give any Name to your device, insert the UDID and hit Continue to register your device.
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9. In order to download iOS 7 beta select iOS 7 SDK beta on the developer’s portal and click on Downloads. Download the IPSW file which corresponds with your device.
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10. The downloaded file will be in the .dmg format with the .ipsw file inside it. While Mac users can extract the .dmg file natively, Windows users can do so using 7-Zip.
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11. Once you have extracted the .ipsw file, you have to restore it to your device using iTunes. Make sure you have fully backed up your device before your proceed.
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12. Connect your device to your Mac or Windows computer. On your Mac, hold the Alt key (on Windows, use the Shift key), and click Restore. iTunes will then allow you to select the .IPSW you extracted in the previous steps. Select it.
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13. Wait for iTunes to install the update and after a few minutes you will be ready to use iOS 7 on your iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.