If you just can't wait to try out Apple's next iPhone update, the good news is that you no longer have to.

Apple's iOS 18 Public Beta goes live today, giving keen tech fans the chance to try out the huge update before it is released to everyone. 

iPhone users will be able to access almost all of the new features such as home screen customisation and an overhauled Pictures app.

However, Apple Intelligence, the biggest update revealed at WWDC this year, won't be available until at least autumn this year.

So, if you want to see what the future holds for Apple's software before anyone else, here are the simple steps to follow. 

How to install iOS 18 public beta

'Beta' is a term for a piece of software that is almost finished but not quite ready for a full public release.

Apple, like many other software developers, releases beta versions of its programs so that the public can test them to find any bugs or problems before the full launch.

To use the software ahead of its public release, you first need to make sure your phone is compatible and is updated to the right software version.

Phones from the second-generation iPhone SE and onwards should all work, provided you are updated to at least iOS 16.4.

To check your current software version, go to Settings, General, and look under the About section. 

If your phone is compatible and up to date, the next step is to sign up for Apple's Beta Programme, which you can find at this link. 

Making a Beta Program account will let you download advanced versions of the company's software directly onto your phone.

Make sure to sign up with the same Apple ID you use on the device on which you want to install the Beta. 

Once you've signed up you can click on the link for the version of the software you'd like to download to learn more information about it.

Now that you're ready to install the Beta, grab the device you want to use and navigate to Settings, General, and then select Software Updates.

If you have used any of the Beta software before you should immediately see the option for iOS 18.

If not, look for the 'Beta Update' option on the Software Updates page and click on it to bring up the list of available updates.

Then, simply choose iOS 18 Public Beta and select either Update Now or Update Tonight depending on your preferences.

If you don't see the option for the Beta right away, try to check whether you are logged in with the same Apple ID you used to sign up for the Beta Program. 

When downloading Beta software you should be aware that you are installing a piece of software that is not fully finished.

That means there is a good chance you will encounter bugs, glitches, and excessive battery drain.

In rare cases, Apple's Betas have been known to break things on users' phones or even render them inoperable.

So, be sure to think carefully before installing the Public Beta on your primary or work device. 

What features are available in the iOS 18 public beta?  

After installing the beta, iPhone users should be able to access almost all of the features that will be in the final iOS 18 update.

The only exception is the absence of any AI features included in Apple Intelligence which are likely to enter beta sometime in Autumn.

However, iPhone users in the EU will need to wait even longer to try out the AI features as Apple says it will not release Apple Intelligence in Europe until it has resolved regulatory issues. 

Even without Apple Intelligence, there are still more than enough features in the update to keep even the most keen tech enthusiast entertained.

Most notably, iOS 18 brings big improvements to the customizability of your device.

iPhone users will be able to change the arrangement and size of icons on the home screen or add a coloured tint.

Those customisation options also include the option to hide and lock apps which led to iOS 18 being branded a 'cheaters paradise' on social media. 

Users can choose to place apps in a 'Hidden' folder on the home screen which can only be accessed through face ID.

Both the lock screen and the control centre also received a major overhaul in terms of customisation options.

Users can now choose the icons and controls that are visible from the lock screen and even add shortcuts for third-party apps. 

Just like the home screen, icons in the Control Center can be rearranged and resized in any pattern alongside options to add new custom controls.  

The beta also includes some of the hotly anticipated changes to the Messages app.

Apple has launched new effects for text messages as well as new ways to react in chats through the 'Tapback' feature.

Most excitingly, Apple users will now be able to schedule text messages to send at a later time.

To do this, simply press the plus sign next to the text field and select Send Later rather than hitting send.

The Photos app will also see a few big changes with a revamped carousel allowing users to choose what galleries they have quick access to.

Apple has also added a new menu designed to make it easier to search through your images.

Alongside iOS 18, Apple has also released beta versions of iPadOS 18, Mac OS Sequoia, and Watch OS 11 which can all be trialled through the Beta Program.