One way to gain access to pre-release versions of Apple’s next operating systems for the Mac (OS X El Capitan), iPhone/iPad (iOS 9), and Apple Watch (watchOS 2) is to join the Apple Developer Program. It’s $99 per year and gives you access to an incredible range of tools and resources.
There is a free option, however, if you are more interested in beta testing future Apple OS releases and have no interest in developing for the various Apple platforms. Start by going to the Apple Beta Software Program site and logging in with your Apple ID.
Joining the Apple Beta program lets you try out new software features before they are publicly available but, more importantly, it helps Apple gather feedback to help make that software better.
For more details on the program, take a read through this FAQ.
One interesting point of difference: The Developer program specifically mentions watchOS 2, while the Beta program does not. Perhaps I just missed it, perhaps this is an oversight on the program page. Or, it could be that Apple is only previewing watchOS 2 with developers.
Apple never mentioned watchOS as being a part of the public beta program, so it is probably a developer-only beta.
“Want to beta-test El Capitan and iOS 9?”
Don’t.
At least, if you want to, be a developer who knows what they are doing. If you’re not, don’t bother.
If you do, don’t do it on a production machine/partition. And don’t publicly bitch about all the apps that don’t work. Bitch to Apple – that’s what “beta” means.
Man those sunglasses must be on extremely tight!
Not sure what the reason for or point of that was but insulting posters on The Loop isn’t allowed. If you’d like to insult me personally, you are more than welcome to email me at shawn@yourmaclifeshow.com.
I completely agree with the bitch to Apple as that is the reason why you should join a beta, if you want to help out and show them the bugs before general release