iOS 17 beta 3: How to download and everything that's new

iOS 17
(Image credit: Apple)
Latest betas from WWDC 2023

Apple WWDC 2023 Logo

(Image credit: Apple)

- iOS 17 
- macOS Sonoma
- iPadOS 17 
- watchOS 10

Following its announcement at WWDC 2023, Apple is letting developers test the earliest versions of its brand new iOS 17 software ahead of its launch in September, with the usual cycle of early betas. 

Following iOS 17 beta 2 a couple of weeks ago, Apple has now released the third beta of iOS 17 to developers, which can be downloaded now. 

Interestingly, this year Apple has made the betas available to everyone who signs up for a developer account through Apple's website, and you don't need to pay the customary $99 developer fee. Here's what's new and how to download it. 

What's new in iOS 17 beta 3

iOS 17 beta 3 includes a couple of new features. Apple has edited the Recently Deleted album in Photos, and tweaked the Mental Wellbeing section of its Health app. Credits in songs, a new feature for Apple Music, can now show users who performs on a track, as well as the composers and producers. 

You can now rearrange the icons in the iMessage plus menu, and you can also sort your iPhone's storage usage list to show items by name, file size, and last used date. This is a great feature to help you offload apps that aren't useful. 

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Download iOS 17 beta 3 on devices running iOS 16.4 or later

Beta software, also referred to as a preview, seed, or release candidate, is a version of software that’s still under development and not yet released to the public. This software is intended only for installation on development devices registered under your Apple Developer Program membership. Registered development devices can be upgraded to future beta releases and the public version of the software. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable and necessitate an out-of-warranty repair. Make sure to back up your devices before installing beta software and install only on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

With iOS 16.4 and later, Apple has made downloading developer betas as easy as ever. It takes no time at all to download iOS 17 beta 3 if you're already on iOS 16.4 or iOS 17 beta 2.

Apple developer beta requirements

(Image credit: Apple)
  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap General then Software Update
  3. Select Beta Updates

It's that simple. The developer betas of the software announced at WWDC 2023 are available to the general public. All you need is an Apple ID.

Download iOS 17 beta 3 on devices running iOS 16.3 or earlier

iOS 17 stickers

(Image credit: Apple)
  • Head to the Developer download page on your device and download the configuration profile
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to install iOS 17 beta 3

The wonders of iOS 17 await

iOS 17 Standby

(Image credit: Apple)

The new changes to developer beta installations make downloading and installing iOS 17 beta 3 easier than any other developer beta before it. 

Now that you know how to install iOS 17, go forth and do your magic. We can't wait to see what developers have up their sleeves for all the latest additions to iOS like Suggestions in the Journal app. If you're not a developer and want to get your hands on iOS 17 early, you can install the developer beta today, although we suggest you wait for the Public Beta in July.

John-Anthony Disotto
How To Editor

John-Anthony Disotto is the How To Editor of iMore, ensuring you can get the most from your Apple products and helping fix things when your technology isn’t behaving itself.

Living in Scotland, where he worked for Apple as a technician focused on iOS and iPhone repairs at the Genius Bar, John-Anthony has used the Apple ecosystem for over a decade and prides himself in his ability to complete his Apple Watch activity rings.

John-Anthony has previously worked in editorial for collectable TCG websites and graduated from The University of Strathclyde where he won the Scottish Student Journalism Award for Website of the Year as Editor-in-Chief of his university paper. He is also an avid film geek, having previously written film reviews and received the Edinburgh International Film Festival Student Critics award in 2019. 

John-Anthony also loves to tinker with other non-Apple technology and enjoys playing around with game emulation and Linux on his Steam Deck.

In his spare time, John-Anthony can be found watching any sport under the sun from football to darts, taking the term “Lego house” far too literally as he runs out of space to display any more plastic bricks, or chilling on the couch with his French Bulldog, Kermit.