How to Download and Install iOS 16 Release Candidate on Your iPhone to Try New Features First «iOS & iPhone :: Gadget Hacks

Apple’s great iOS 16 is finally here. There are hundreds of new features and changes for your iPhone, like seeing all your Wi-Fi passwords, removing the background from your photos, and the new lock screen experience. Best of all, you don’t need to wait to try all these great new updates, because you can install the iOS 16 Release Candidate version right now.

The Release Candidate, or RC, is the last beta software that Apple releases before the stable version reaches all devices. It’s the same as the normal release, but it gives Apple another chance to squash any major bugs for another week. It also gives developers enough time to finalize updates to their apps to get them running smoothly on the first day of the big release scheduled for Monday, September 12, 2022.

The highlight of all the new features is definitely the lock screen customization options, which finally give Android a run for its money. There are also exciting updates to Books, Messages, Focus, Dictation, Notes, Siri, Live Text, Mail, Maps, Photos, Shortcuts, Wallet, Weather, and your home screen.

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iOS 16 beta version history

• September 7th: iOS 16.0 Developer Release Candidate (20A362)
• August 29: iOS 16.0 developer beta 8 (20A5358a)
• August 24: iOS 16.0 Public Beta 5 (20A5356a)
• August 23rd: iOS 16.0 developer beta 7 (20A5356a)
• August 15th: iOS 16.0 public beta 4 (20A5349b)
• August 15th: iOS 16.0 developer beta 6 (20A5349b)
• August 9: iOS 16.0 Public Beta 3 (20A5339d)
• August 8: iOS 16.0 developer beta 5 (20A5339d)
• 28 of July: iOS 16.0 public beta 2 (20A5328h)
• July 27th: iOS 16.0 developer beta 4 (20A5328h)
• July 11: iOS 16.0 Public Beta 1 (20A5312j)
• July 6th: iOS 16.0 developer beta 3 (20A5312g)
• June 22nd: iOS 16.0 developer beta 2 (20A5303i)
• June 6th: iOS 16.0 developer beta 1 (20A5283p)

Compatible devices

The release candidate of iOS 16 is available on the following iPhone models. Apple dropped support for the iPhone 6yes, 6yes Plus, 7, 7 Plus, and SE (1st generation), so those devices are not compatible with iOS 16.

• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 13 ProMax
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 12 ProMax
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 11 ProMax
• iPhone 11Pro
• iPhone 11
• iPhone XR
• iPhone Xyes max.
• iPhone Xyes
• iPhoneX
• iPhone 8 plus
• iPhone 8

Archive an iOS backup

While the iOS 16 release candidate is likely to be just as stable as the general public release, you might want to downgrade if there’s something you don’t like. To do that, you’ll want to have an archived backup of iOS 15, but you can only create the backup before installing iOS 16.

Method 1: Install with the OTA Public Profile

Apple first opened the iOS 16 beta to the public on July 11, but the iOS 16 release candidate has yet to be released to public beta testers. Still, you can use these instructions to update your iPhone to the latest beta, iOS 16 public beta 5, and you’ll get a Release Candidate software update as soon as Apple releases it, which may be very soon. If you want the RC right now, try one of the other methods below.

The fifth public beta of iOS 16 was released on August 24, 2022.

1. Delete iOS 15 public beta if there is one on your iPhone. Go to Settings -> General -> VPN & Device Management -> iOS 15 Beta Software Profile -> Delete Profile, enter your password and confirm with “Delete”.
2. Visit beta.apple.com in a browser on your iPhone.
3. If you’re not already signed in, sign in with your Apple ID credentials, enter the 2FA code from another device, and click “Trust” in the browser if prompted.
4. Read and “Accept” the Apple Beta Software Agreement if you see it.

5. Tap the “enroll your iOS device” link. You can also visit beta.apple.com/profile.
6. Tap the “Download Profile” link.

7. Tap “Allow” on the pop-up window to view the configuration profile, then “Close” when it finishes downloading.
8. Go to Settings -> General -> VPN & Device Management -> iOS 16 Beta Software Profile. Alternatively, tap the “Profile Downloaded” link on the main page of the Settings app.

9. Select “Install”, enter your iPhone passcode and read the consent form.
10. Tap “Install” and then “Install” again on the action sheet.

11. Tap “Restart” if prompted by a message. Otherwise, continue.
12. Connect your iPhone to a power source and make sure you are on a Wi-Fi network.
13. Go to Settings -> General -> Software Update.
14. Choose “Download and Install” if the software is not yet downloading.
15. Enter your access code if prompted.

16. Tap “I Agree” on the Terms and Conditions if it appears.
17. Finish installing iOS 16 beta as you would any other iOS update.

Method 2: Install with OTA Developer Profile

The easiest way to install iOS 16 Release Candidate on your iPhone is through the configuration profile on Apple’s developer website. Follow the instructions below if you have never done it before. You will need a developer account to access the configuration profile. After completing the process, you should get over-the-air (OTA) software updates for new RCs if another one is released by Apple.

If your company sent you a .mobileconfig file for iOS 16 beta, open it on your iPhone. If you AirDropped the file, “Accept it”. Then, in any case, tap “Close” and continue with step 5 below.

The iOS 16 Developer Release Candidate was released on September 7, 2022.

1. Visit developer.apple.com/download in a browser on your iPhone.
2. If you’re not already signed in, sign in with your Apple ID credentials, enter the 2FA code from another device, and click “Trust” in the browser if prompted.

Method 3 – Install with IPSW Restore Image

The configuration profile is the easiest way to install iOS 16 Release Candidate, but you can also use a restore image if you want to start fresh. Follow the instructions below if you have never done it before. You will need a developer account to access IPSW for your iPhone model, but you can also go to the IPSW download section below to get a restore image if you are not a developer.

The iOS 16 Developer Release Candidate was released on September 7, 2022. These instructions work on macOS Catalina (10.15), Big Sur (11), or Monterey (12).

1. Visit developer.apple.com/download in a browser on your Mac.
2. If you’re not already signed in, sign in with your Apple ID credentials, enter the 2FA code from another device, and click “Trust” in the browser if prompted.
3. Select “See All” in the iOS 16 beta section.
4. Download the IPSW file for your iPhone model. (Links are also listed after these instructions for your convenience.)
5. Open Finder.
6. Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a Lightning to USB Cable or Lightning to USB-C Cable.
7. If you see an “Unlock iPhone to use accessories” notification on your iPhone, unlock your iPhone using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to continue.
8. Tap “Trust This Computer” if prompted on your iPhone and follow the on-screen steps. You can always distrust the computer later.
9. Select your iPhone name in the sidebar.
10. Hold down the Option key and click “Check for Updates” in the Summary panel.
11. Choose the IPSW restore image you downloaded on your Mac and click “Open”.
12. Click “Update” if prompted to allow your Mac to contact Apple to check for and install iOS 16 beta.
13. You may need to enter your passcode on your iPhone during installation.
14. Your iPhone will reboot once Finder finishes installing the image.
15. Follow the instructions on your iPhone to activate and set up iOS 16 beta.

IPSW Download Links

Be sure to download the link associated with your specific model of iPhone. These are official Apple links to the iOS 16.0 Developer Release Candidate (20A362) restore images. You should be able to use these links if you are not a developer, but we recommend that you install the public beta (see Method 1 above) as these versions are optimized for developers.