News: Apple Releases iOS 14.7 Beta 1 for iOS Developers & Public Testers

Apple released the first beta for iOS 14.7 today, Wednesday, May 19. The update (build number 18G5023c) comes two days after Apple seeded testers the RC (release candidate) for iOS 14.6. The new update adds the ability to set timers for HomePod on your iPhone via the Home app.

This new ability is a noticeable improvement for HomePod users. Before, you could only manage timers from HomePod via Siri. Now, you can simply use your iPhone like you would for setting timers on iOS.

Apple released this update just after 1 p.m. PDT. While not unprecedented, the company usually releases developer beta updates around 10 a.m. PDT, so this update comes as a bit of a surprise. It's also curious to see Apple release a new beta when iOS 14.6 is still in RC, and not yet available to the public.

The company released the first public beta for 14.7 the following day, Thursday, May 20. That timeline is consistent for public beta releases.

HomePod timers are about the only new feature we see here. If you check out the release notes, you can see Apple states "there are no new release notes for this beta software update." There could still be features here that Apple wouldn't list in the notes, but this language is usually an indication that an update isn't major.

iOS & iPadOS 14.7 Release Notes

Overview

• The iOS & iPadOS 14.7 SDK provides support to develop apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS & iPadOS 14.7 beta. The SDK comes bundled with Xcode 12.5, available from the Mac App Store. For information on the compatibility requirements for Xcode 12.5, see Xcode 12.5 Release Notes.

General

• There are no new release notes for this beta software update.

How to Download iOS 14.7 Dev Beta 1 on Your iPhone

You'll need an Apple developer account to update your iPhone. You can get the restore image from your dev portal, then install it with iTunes or Finder. Otherwise, install the configuration profile, then update by going to Settings –> General –> Software Update. Finally, you can simply wait for it to auto-install if you have a dev profile and "Automatic Updates" is enabled.

How to Download iOS 14.7 Public Beta 1 on Your iPhone

To update your iPhone to iOS 14.7 public beta 1, sign up through Apple's beta site, download and install the configuration profile, then update over the air. If you already have the profile, go to Settings –> General –> Software Update, then tap "iOS 14.6" under "Also Available" to begin the installation of the latest beta build, or you can wait until it installs automatically if "Automatic Updates" is enabled.