Apple has announced new measures to prevent iPhone users from installing the iOS 17 developer beta for free, starting with the release of iOS 16.4 beta. The move is designed to ensure that only members of the Apple Developer Program can access developer betas directly on their iPhone. The new "Beta Update" menu under General → Software Update in the Settings app will allow users enrolled in the program to enable iOS developer betas without installing a profile from Apple's developer website.
Beta Update Menu to be the Only Access Point for Developer Betas in Future iOS Versions
Apple has revealed that the new Beta Update menu will be the only way to enable developer betas in future versions of iOS, as provisioning profiles will no longer grant access. This change is aimed at preventing non-enrolled iPhone users from installing iOS 17 developer beta for free when it is released at WWDC in June. However, the new menu will only appear if the user's iPhone is signed into the same Apple ID used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program.
Crackdown on Websites Sharing Developer Beta Description Files
Apple has taken steps to crack down on websites sharing developer beta description files. Last year, BetaProfiles.com was shut down in August to avoid a legal battle with Apple, while Apple's lawyers provided Twitter with a DMCA takedown notice for over a dozen tweets containing links to IPSW.dev. Although BetaProfiles.dev is still running, it remains unclear if the site has the same ownership as the now-defunct BetaProfiles.com.
Public Beta of iOS 17 to be Released in July
iPhone owners who do not want to pay $99 a year for Apple's developer program will have to wait for the public beta of iOS 17, which is likely to be released in July. Users can sign up for Apple's public beta software program for free, allowing them to access the new features and updates that iOS 17 has to offer.
Uncertainty over the Ability to Install iOS 17 Developer Beta Using IPSW Files
It is still unclear whether users will be able to install the iOS 17 developer beta for free using an IPSW (system firmware) file. Many years ago, Apple only allowed beta IPSW files to be installed on devices registered with an Apple developer account, and Apple may reintroduce this former policy. However, it remains to be seen whether Apple will take such measures, and whether non-enrolled iPhone users will be able to bypass the new Beta Update menu using alternative methods.
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