With the arrival of the iOS 16.4 beta, iPhone users can access Beta Updates in their Settings app under General → Software Update. This new feature will enable members of Apple's Developer Program to experience developer betas directly on their iPhones. Users would not have to configure a profile from the Apple Developer website first.
To access a developer beta, users must sign into the same Apple ID they used to join Apple's Developer Program. Only then will the menu appear on their iPhone. In future iOS releases, this menu will be the one-and-only way for enabling betas as profiles will no longer function.
When iOS 17 developer beta releases in June during WWDC, iPhone users who aren't subscribed to Apple's Developer Program can no longer install it for free. Up until now, anyone could easily download and set up these betas from BetaProfiles.dev at no cost. But that won't be possible anymore. Users have to pay the annual fee of $99 required by Apple's Developer Program.
Last year, Apple took action against websites using developer beta profiles. BetaProfiles.com closed in August to avoid a potential clash with Apple's lawyers. Over a dozen tweets containing links to IPSW.dev received DMCA takedown notices from Apple itself. It is uncertain if the owner is the same for both BetaProfiles and BetaProfiles Dev. But, the latter website appears to be an exact replica of the other.
Apple will launch the public beta version of iOS 17 in July. iPhone users would not have to pay the annual fee of $99 for Apple's Developer Program for that. When signing up with Apple's Public Beta Software Program, no charge is necessary.
