How to uninstall iOS or iPadOS beta software

Members of the Apple Beta Software Program, Customer Seed Program, and Apple Developer Program can try iOS or iPadOS beta releases. This article explains how to go back to the latest publicly-released version of iOS or iPadOS if you installed a version of iOS beta and no longer want it.

  • Remove the public beta

  • Remove the developer beta

  • Update when new iOS or iPadOS is available

Remove the public beta by deleting the beta profile

If you used a computer to install an iOS or iPadOS beta, you need to restore iOS or iPadOS to remove the beta version.

The easiest way to remove the public beta is to delete the beta profile, then wait for the next software update. Here's what to do:

  1. Go to Settings > General, and tap VPN & Device Management.
  2. Tap the iOS Beta Software Profile.
  3. Tap Remove Profile, then restart your device.

When the next public version of iOS or iPadOS is available, install it to move back to a non-beta version of iOS or iPadOS. If an update is already available, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update, but the iOS or iPadOS version must be later than the version you have.

If you don't want to wait for a software update to install a non-beta version of iOS or iPadOS, follow the steps to restore iOS or iPadOS.

Remove the developer beta by restoring your device

To remove the developer beta immediately, you need to erase and restore your device. Then—if you have an archived backup—you can set up your device again from that backup.

Note that backups created while using beta software might not be compatible with older versions of iOS or iPadOS. If you don't have an older backup that was made using the current version of iOS or iPadOS, you might not be able to restore your device with your most recent backup.

  1. Make sure your Mac has the latest version of macOS or the latest version of iTunes.
  2. Connect your device to your computer, then put your device in recovery mode with these steps:
    • On an iPad without a Home button: Press and quickly release the volume button closest to the top button. Press and quickly release the volume button farthest from the top button. Press and hold the top button until your iPad begins to restart. If you're not sure, see which buttons you need to press to restart your iPad. Continue holding the top button until your iPad goes into recovery mode.
    • For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
    • For iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus,or iPod touch (7th generation): Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and volume down buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Continue to hold both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
    • For iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad with a Home button, or iPod touch (6th generation or earlier): Press and hold the Sleep/Wake and Home buttons at the same time. Don't release the buttons when you see the Apple logo. Continue to hold both buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.
  3. Click the Restore option when it appears. This erases your device and installs the current non-beta version of iOS or iPadOS. If the download takes more than 15 minutes and your device exits the recovery mode screen, let the download finish, then repeat step 2.
  4. Wait for the restore to finish. If asked, enter your Apple ID and password, which disables Activation Lock. If the restore process won't finish, learn what to do.

After the restore finishes, you can set up your device from your archived backup, which must be from an earlier version of iOS or iPadOS.

If you back up a device that has iOS or iPadOS beta to iCloud or your computer, the backup won't work with earlier versions of iOS or iPadOS. For example, if you go back to iOS 11.4.1 from iOS 12 beta, a backup you made while using iOS beta won't restore. Instead, restore from a backup that you made before you installed iOS or iPadOS beta.

Update when an alert says a new iOS or iPadOS update is now available

If you see this alert, it means that the version of iOS or iPadOS beta on your device expired and you need to update. Tap Settings > General > Software Update and install the update.

Don't see an available update? Remove the developer beta by restoring your device. Or, if you already removed the beta profile, enroll your device in the public beta program or developer beta program again.

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