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iOS 18 Developer Beta 1 arrived on June 10, 2024. It made several substantial changes usable immediately, especially Home Screen and Control Center customization, app locking, and the redesigned Photos app. But this is a historical guide: as of August 18, 2026, Beta 1 is obsolete, not a version to install today. Apple Intelligence—the headline AI feature announced alongside iOS 18—was not available in this first beta.
Beta 1 was unfinished software intended primarily for testing. Controls and features could change, and bugs could affect battery life, apps, accessories, or core phone functions. The nine features below describe the practical experience of the first developer preview, not a promise that every detail remained unchanged in the final iOS 18 release.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $585.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $414.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $389.00 | Buy on Amazon |
At a glance: what Beta 1 was good for
- Best reason to try it: freer Home Screen layouts and a more customizable Control Center.
- Most useful privacy change: requiring authentication to open an app, or hiding it in a locked folder.
- Biggest app redesign: Photos, which replaced its familiar tabbed layout with a more unified, scrollable view.
- Important omission: Apple Intelligence was announced for iOS 18, but was not a usable feature in Developer Beta 1.
- Who should have skipped it: anyone depending on one iPhone for work, travel, banking, authentication, accessibility, or other essential tasks.
Apple announced iOS 18 compatibility for iPhone XS and later, and made the developer beta available to Apple Developer Program members on June 10, 2024; the public beta was scheduled for July. A developer preview was not the same thing as the eventual public release, and Apple warned that availability could vary by device, language, and region. Apple’s iOS 18 announcement and June developer-beta announcement provide the launch context.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match1. Place Home Screen icons where you want—and tint them
For the first time, app icons and widgets did not have to fill the Home Screen grid in top-to-bottom order. You could leave open space around a wallpaper subject, keep frequently used apps within easier reach, or arrange widgets around a clear area. iOS 18 also added dark and tinted icon appearances, alongside a larger-icon option.
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
- Touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen.
- Tap Edit, then Customize.
- Choose Automatic, Light, Dark, or Tinted, and adjust the tint if desired.
- Select the larger icon option if you want it; larger icons may remove their labels.
- Drag apps or widgets into available positions, then tap outside the panel to finish.
Widgets still occupy their defined grid sizes, and tinting changes the system appearance of compatible icons rather than designing a unique icon for every app. The exact labels could shift between beta builds. The practical gain was layout freedom, not the ability to resize the underlying grid arbitrarily. Apple described the new Home Screen customization at launch.
2. Rebuild Control Center around your own controls
Control Center became a set of groups or pages rather than one fixed panel. You could rearrange controls, resize some of them, and add compatible controls from Apple and third-party apps. The change offered more flexibility, but also disrupted muscle memory: an often-used control might no longer be where an iOS 17 user expected it.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
- Move between control groups by swiping vertically or using the page indicators.
- Touch and hold an empty area, or tap the + button, to edit.
- Drag controls to rearrange them, or tap Add a Control to browse available options.
- Use a control’s resize handle when one is available, then tap outside the editor to save.
Before relying on the new layout, check whether you can quickly reach media controls and return to the main group. Third-party options depend on compatible installed apps, and not every control can be assigned to the Lock Screen or Action Button. Apple’s iOS 18 feature overview describes the redesigned Control Center and expanded control options.
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3. Replace the Lock Screen flashlight and camera shortcuts
The flashlight and camera buttons at the bottom of the Lock Screen were no longer fixed. You could replace either with another available control—for example, a timer, calculator, voice memo, accessibility control, QR-code scanner, Home control, or shortcut, depending on the device and beta build.
- Wake the iPhone and touch and hold the Lock Screen.
- Tap Customize, then choose Lock Screen.
- Tap the minus button on the flashlight or camera control you want to remove.
- Tap the empty slot, choose a replacement, and tap Done.
Removing the camera shortcut does not remove the Camera app. The Action Button on supported iPhones is separate from these Lock Screen slots, and available replacements can vary. This change was useful if you reached for a different tool more often than the flashlight or camera.
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- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
4. Lock an app or hide it from the Home Screen
iOS 18 added an authentication barrier for supported apps. You could require Face ID, Touch ID, or the device passcode to open an app; hiding an app moved it to a locked Hidden folder in the App Library.
To lock an app: touch and hold its icon, choose Require Face ID (or the equivalent authentication option shown), and authenticate.
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To hide an app: touch and hold its icon, choose Require Face ID, select Hide and Require Face ID, and authenticate. Find it later in the Hidden folder in the App Library.
Some Apple system apps cannot be hidden. More importantly, app locking is an access barrier, not a guarantee that all related information vanishes from backups, iCloud, search, widgets, notifications, or other connected devices. Apple says hidden apps do not provide normal notifications or calls, so hiding an app can mean missing something important. Test the behavior you need before relying on it. See Apple’s description of app locking and hiding.
5. Open the new Passwords app
A dedicated Passwords app brought Apple’s saved credentials into one place. It organized passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi credentials, and verification codes within Apple’s existing Keychain ecosystem; it was not automatically a new third-party password manager.
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- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
- Open Passwords and authenticate.
- Choose a category such as All, Passkeys, Wi-Fi, or Security codes.
- Search for an entry, then open it to view or copy its details.
- Use the entry controls to add or edit credentials as needed.
Whether to use it instead of a separate manager depends on your needs. Compare support for Windows, Android, and browsers; family or team sharing; emergency access; security keys; organization; and export or import before moving credentials. Apple-centric users may prefer the built-in integration, while people who need broader cross-platform features may choose a dedicated service. There is no basis here to claim one option is universally better. Apple’s launch announcement lists the kinds of credentials Passwords handles.
6. Learn the redesigned Photos app
Photos received a major interface overhaul. Instead of navigating a familiar row of separate tabs, users encountered a more unified, scrollable library with automatically organized collections and customization options. Searching and browsing remained central, but familiar destinations such as albums, utilities, and shared content could take time to find in the new arrangement.
- Open Photos and scroll through the unified library view.
- Explore its automatically organized collections and search for people, places, objects, or events.
- Review layout customization options, including whether useful collections can be pinned or reordered.
- Open a photo to inspect the revised editing and sharing controls.
The redesign changed navigation as much as it added ways to browse. It was worth trying with your own library before deciding whether the denser scrolling view suited you. Not every editing capability was new in Beta 1, and Apple Intelligence photo tools such as Clean Up should not be retroactively counted as part of this first preview. Apple’s iOS 18 announcement details the Photos redesign.
7. Schedule a message with Send Later
The final iOS 18 feature set included Send Later, which lets a user schedule a message for a future time. However, Apple’s final-release documentation alone does not establish that the control was present and worked identically in Developer Beta 1. Treat its appearance or behavior in that exact build as build-dependent rather than assuming every final feature shipped on day one.
Where the option is available, the path is: open a conversation in Messages, tap the + beside the text field, choose Send Later, set a date and time, type the message, and tap the send arrow. Return to the conversation to edit or cancel a scheduled message if those controls are offered in that build.
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- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
Do not assume delivery behavior is identical for iMessage, SMS, or later RCS conversations, or when the phone is off or disconnected. The capability is documented in Apple’s final iOS 18 feature announcement; that source describes the later release, not a definitive Beta 1 changelog.
8. Add text styling, effects, and more Tapbacks in Messages
iOS 18’s Messages feature set expanded beyond plain text and the familiar Tapback reactions. It added bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough formatting, expressive text effects, and additional Tapback choices including emoji and stickers. As with Send Later, the exact availability in Beta 1 should not be inferred solely from final-release materials.
- In a conversation, type text and select it or open the text-formatting control.
- Choose a formatting style or text effect from the available options.
- To react to a message, touch and hold it, then choose an offered Tapback, emoji, or sticker.
Recipients may see effects differently depending on their software and messaging method. These tools are not the same as RCS: RCS is a separate messaging standard, and Apple says its availability requires carrier support. Do not assume a recipient on an older device or another platform will see every effect as intended. Apple’s final iOS 18 announcement covers the expanded Messages features; Apple’s support page explains the carrier dependency for RCS.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.9. Let Game Mode reduce background activity
iOS 18 introduced Game Mode, intended to reduce background activity and improve responsiveness while playing supported games and using connected accessories. Its visibility, controls, and compatibility could evolve during beta testing. It should not be read as a guarantee that every game runs faster or gains a particular frame rate.
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When testing a game, note whether Game Mode activates automatically, whether the system shows a notification or control, and how Bluetooth controllers, AirPods, or background downloads behave. No performance percentage is warranted without controlled measurements. For Beta 1, the sensible claim is the intended benefit—reduced background activity and better responsiveness—not a universal speed boost.
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
What iOS 18 Beta 1 did not give you
The June 10 presentation previewed a broader iOS 18 roadmap than the first developer build delivered. Keeping the announcements separate from what was usable in Beta 1 is essential:
- Apple Intelligence: not a general Beta 1 feature. Apple’s first user-facing Apple Intelligence features arrived with iOS 18.1 on October 28, 2024, initially for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and supported iPhone 16 models, with additional eligibility and language conditions. Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, Clean Up, and the new Siri should not be listed as things Beta 1 users could use. See Apple’s June Apple Intelligence announcement and October availability announcement.
- RCS: announced for iOS 18, but not universally available; carrier support and rollout timing matter. It is distinct from iMessage formatting and Tapbacks.
- Messages via satellite: a limited, device- and geography-dependent capability, not a dependable Beta 1 feature for every reader. Apple specified U.S. availability on iPhone 14 and later, with SMS availability dependent on carrier terms and potential fees. Consult Apple’s satellite messaging announcement for its stated limits.
- Call recording and transcription: later iOS 18-cycle additions, not features to attribute to Beta 1 without build-specific evidence.
- iPhone Mirroring: dependent on coordinated Mac software and not a feature you could use directly on the iPhone in this preview.
Availability also varied by hardware, region, language, carrier, and installed apps. iOS 18’s broad compatibility with iPhone XS and later did not mean every advertised capability worked on every compatible iPhone.
Was installing Developer Beta 1 worth the risk?
For most people, no—not on a primary iPhone. The beta made sense for developers who needed to test their apps, or enthusiasts with a spare compatible device who were comfortable reporting bugs and restoring software. It was a poor fit for a sole phone used for work, travel, Apple Pay, navigation, banking, authentication, health tasks, or accessibility.
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If you were evaluating the beta in 2024, use a spare device, make a backup first, and expect to erase and restore if you need to leave the beta. The 2024 route was to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, sign in with the Apple Account on the test iPhone, then use Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates to select the developer beta channel. Those labels describe the historical process; they are not current instructions for installing an obsolete Beta 1 build in 2026.
If a feature misbehaves, restart the phone, install the newest beta update available for that testing period, and check device, region, language, carrier, and permission requirements. Then disable and re-enable the feature or test with another app, recipient, or conversation. If the device becomes unusable, restoring with a Mac or PC may be necessary; do not assume every problem can be solved without erasing the phone. Apple’s iOS 18 release notes document changes and beta caveats across the release cycle.
The takeaway on the first iOS 18 beta
Developer Beta 1’s clearest immediate changes were personalization, privacy controls, system navigation, and a substantial Photos redesign. Its appeal was not an early taste of Apple Intelligence: that arrived later. If the question is whether to install this build now, the answer is no—it is an obsolete historical preview. If the question is what made the June 2024 beta notable, it was how much control it gave users over the iPhone’s everyday interface, balanced against the instability and incomplete feature set that come with early prerelease software.
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