Apple has recently made an important change regarding its iOS 17 developer beta and other betas by offering them for free to anyone who registers as a developer.
Previously, access to these developer builds required a $99/year developer account. The intentional shift in policy was officially announced on Apple’s Developer website. Although the betas can now be obtained without paying the $99 fee, users are still required to sign up and register as a developer. By doing so, they gain access to resources for app development on Apple platforms at no cost. With just an Apple ID, users can avail themselves of Xcode, software downloads, documentation, sample code, forums, and Feedback Assistant. They can also test their apps on devices.
It’s important to note that joining the Apple Developer Program is still necessary for app distribution. This explains why the iOS 17 Developer Beta appears for all users under Settings > General > Software Update. However, it is advised that users refrain from installing the developer beta on their primary devices due to the presence of bugs and performance issues inherent to beta versions.
It’s worth mentioning that there are distinctions between the $99/year Apple Developer Program and using an Apple ID. The Apple Developer Program offers additional benefits, such as the ability to distribute apps on the App Store, access to beta software, and more. On the other hand, utilizing an Apple ID allows users to access Xcode, software downloads, documentation, sample code, forums, and Feedback Assistant. Additionally, they can test their apps on devices.
