Ahead of schedule, Apple has made the public beta version of iPadOS 15 available for download starting today (June 30). This beta is important for two reasons: it is free (no Developer account required), and it is probably very stable.

The big news in iPadOS 15 is that Apple has upgraded the way you multitask. It's the addition of buttons. It also adds two big iOS 14 features. They are widgets anywhere on the screen and the App Library. Better late than never.

As always, there are a few things you should know about the iPadOS 15 beta before you join, especially if you are new to Apple betas.

This is the second iPadOS 15 beta, following the developer beta released last month. Developer betas are a bit riskier because they are the first to be released and have not been tested as much. Also, as the name implies, the developer beta is not for general users and requires a $100 Apple Developer account (which can be purchased here).

The iPadOS 15 public beta, on the other hand, benefits from earlier testing and is therefore more reliable.

However, it is still a beta, so you need to back up your iPad now.

This is most easily done via iCloud backup.

There are two ways to do this, but Apple recommends restoring from a local archival backup. I recommend that method, but it is faster via iCloud to ensure your data is backed up. 15]

To back up locally to your Mac, do the following: connect your iPad, open Finder (or iTunes if iOS 12), select that iPad in the left menu, and click Summary.

Then under "Backup," select "This computer" (unlike iCloud) and click "Backup Now."

If you are backing up via Mac, archive that backup (select Backup in Manage Backups, then click Archive) so that you can restore from this backup.

If you are already using iPadOS 14, you do not need to worry about compatibility. iPadOS 15 supports the exact same iPad as iPadOS 14.

If you are not using iPadOS 14, here is a list of supported iPads:

Just a warning: Apple's servers may be under a lot of demand initially.

1. navigate to beta.apple.com on your iPad

2. sign in

3. sign in

4. trust

5. enroll your devices

6. tap iPadOS A reminder will appear to archive the backup to your Mac. Follow its advice.

7. Download Profile

8. Tap Allow

9. Tap Close

10. Open Settings, then Download Profile

11. Install

12. Enter Passcode

13. tap Install.

14. Tap Install.

15. tap Restart (or tap Not Now, finish your work, then restart your iPad)

16. after restarting, open Settings and tap Software Update under General.

17. Tap Download and Install

You will need to wait for iPadOS 15 to download and restart your iPad. However, you can get the iPadOS 15 public beta up and running right away.