The release candidate (RC) build of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 for iPhone and iPad is now finally available for download and install.
Apple Releases iOS 18 RC and iPadOS 18 RC for iPhone and iPad – Now Available for Download and Install
Whether you’re a developer or a public beta tester, today is the day you get your big treat – iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 RC. If you’re testing beta software for the first time, the RC version is the full and final build of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 that is exclusively available to beta testers ahead of time.
If no issues are found, Apple will release the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 RC as is to the public a week later, else it may just change the build number with small improvements and release it for download. In other words, you got yourself iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 final earlier than anyone else. How cool is that?
Also, do keep in mind this is iOS 18.0 and iPadOS 18.0. It does not include Apple Intelligence features at all, they are coming later in October, most likely. More Apple Intelligence features will be rolled out as part of the iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 update, too.
With that out of the way, here’s how you can download and install iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 RC right now:
Step 1. Connect your iPhone or iPad to a Wi-Fi network.
Step 2. Make sure you have 50% or more battery life remaining.
Step 3. Launch the ‘Settings’ app.
Step 4. Go to General > Software Update.
Step 5. Wait for this page to refresh complete and then tap on ‘Update Now’ when iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 RC shows up.
This particular update may take a while to download and install, but once done, you’ll be back on the smoothest track of software – the publicly available one. Feels good, doesn’t it?
Again, this update is meant for developers and public beta testers. It will be rolled out to everyone later. If noticeable bugs are found, Apple may revise the software and build that to the public instead. Until then, enjoy all the new features iOS 18.0 and iPadOS 18.0 brings to the table.
Once you have installed iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 RC, make sure you give the update a couple of days to ‘settle down.’ Once your device is done indexing, things like battery life and performance will return to normal, too. The first couple of days with major software updates is usually rough. After you’ve given it enough time, everything will return to normal.
One more thing, once you download and install the final version of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, make sure you stop your device from receiving further beta updates.
