News: iOS 12 Public Beta 4 Released for iPhone Software Testers

iOS 12 Public Beta 4 Released for iPhone Software Testers

Apple released the fourth public beta for iOS 12 to public beta testers on Tuesday, July 31, just one day after the company seeded the fifth developer beta to eligible users. Both releases are surprising, as Apple had appeared to stick to a two-week release schedule for the iOS 12 beta season, and these updates both came one day earlier than expected.

This batch of iOS 12 updates doesn't introduce many new features, but there are some cool fixes and changes in the mix. Public beta 4 fixes an issue from public beta 3 where iPhones could not reawaken when put to sleep on the lowest brightness setting, as well as a bug where cellular data stats would continuously refresh. You will also notice a new haptic feedback when attempting to launch the app switcher with no apps open in the background.

Public beta 4 introduces a long list of small bug fixes and security patches, but it also brings with it new bugs and issues for users to deal with. For an expanded view on all changes with iOS 12 public beta 4, check out the full changelog in our iOS 12 developer beta 5 notes.

If you want to update your iPhone to the fourth iOS 12 public beta, you need to be a public tester with a valid configuration profile. If you have iOS 12's new "Automatic Updates" enabled, you can let the software update overnight. To download the new beta right now, however, open the Settings app, select "General," then "Software Update." Tap "Download and Install," then follow the on-screen prompts to download and install iOS 12 public beta 4.

While iOS 12's biggest claim to fame is in returning speed and stability to iPhones, the software update also brings many new features for fans to be excited for. Notification grouping, Memojis, an AR measuring tool, Quick Reply Tapbacks, and Siri Shortcuts are among many highly-anticipated changes coming this fall.

Just updated your iPhone? You'll find new emoji, enhanced security, podcast transcripts, Apple Cash virtual numbers, and other useful features. There are even new additions hidden within Safari. Find out what's new and changed on your iPhone with the iOS 17.4 update.

Cover image by Jake Peterson/Gadget Hacks

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