How to Get iOS 13 Right Now

With every update of iOS comes the promise that your existing phone is going to become an entirely new device at no extra cost. While that's not always the case, iOS 13 does have a lot of nifty features, some of which might live up to outrageous expectations.

The latest version of iOS has optimized battery charging, which means that it keeps the life of your lithium-ion going longer by charging it up to only 80 percent most of the time and 100 percent when you need it. Considering that battery life is one of the biggest frustrations of phone ownership, this is a big deal.

If you're looking for something a little more frivolous and fun, then accessorize your Memoji with makeup, glasses, piercing, and more. Beauty influencers Desi Perkins and Patrick Starrr (or rather their Memoji) highlighted this feature at WWDC with lots of style and little drama.

For those eager to try iOS 13, the public beta version is out now and you can download it using the instructions below.

Not every phone will support iOS 13, though. You'll need an iPhone 6s and above or a seventh-gen iPod touch. (iPads will soon have their own iPadOS). If you have one of these and are looking to update, here's how.

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Become an Apple Developer

To be the very first to get the latest edition of Apple's mobile software, you'll need to join the Apple Developer Program.

The program is designed for app developers—individuals and companies. If you're in it just to get the latest iOS, provide your Apple ID and some basic information about yourself, and pay the membership fee of $99 per year.

A note of caution, though: since you'll have an early version of iOS, you'll face bugs that are more than the minor annoyances you're used to on stable versions of iOS. The entire point of developers having the software is to test it out with their apps, so you might find that some of your apps become unusable or that you lose information. Make sure you're comfortable with that before signing up. Or install the dev version on a second, non-primary iOS device.
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Public Beta

Before a final version of iOS is released, meanwhile, there's a public beta that carries with it a bit of risk but is still fairly stable. Some of your existing apps might not work with the OS and you could lose data, but if you're willing to try it out there's no fee to join.

The point of a public beta is to find bugs developers have not yet uncovered. If you're an iOS fan, this can be an interesting side project. Especially if you have an older iOS device you can afford to upgrade with possibly buggy software.

The public beta is available right now. Make sure to back up your phone before you do anything. Then sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program. If you've done this before and already are registered, then just sign in. Next, open Safari to beta.apple.com/profile and select Download Profile. Approve the installation, restart your phone, and connect to a Wi-Fi network. Now go to Settings > General > Software Update and select Download and Install. Once your phone restarts, you'll have iOS 13 up and running.

Remember that you're testing iOS 13 for everyone else. If you come across any bugs, use the built-in Feedback Assistant app to report them. It's the right thing to do.
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General Release

iOS 13 won't be available for general release until the fall. When it does show up, you'll either get a pop-up alert on your iOS device or you can force a manual update. (Before you update, it's always a good idea to back up your data.)

Once iOS 13 is out, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and select Download and Install. If your iPhone has a passcode, you'll be prompted to enter it. Agree to Apple's terms and then...wait. You'll see Update Requested on the screen, which means Apple has added you to its download queue.

Once it begins downloading, you'll see a time estimate bar up top; how long you'll wait depends on how many people are trying to upgrade. Your phone will then need to reboot, which could also take a few minutes.

If there's not enough room on your iOS device, you'll get a message asking to temporarily remove apps. Hit Continue and the apps will be restored when the installation is finished. If you have trust issues, hit Cancel and remove apps manually before returning to the update.

If you need your phone during the day, there's also the option to Install Tonight, which will do exactly that—install iOS 13 while you sleep, provided your device is charging.