Apple is finishing its iOS 18.3 beta cycle, which means one important thing: iOS 18.4 beta 1 is coming soon. Here’s when to expect it to happen.
iOS 18.4 beta 1 expected to arrive shortly after iOS 18.3 launches
Software releases at Apple follow a fairly predictable schedule, with occasional minor variations.
Generally speaking, Apple’s recent past is a good indicator of what we can expect from the company in the present.
iOS 18.3 is about to launch publicly, probably around Monday, January 27.
This means that iOS 18.4 beta 1 should arrive soon after, perhaps from Tuesday January 28 or one day later in the same week.
Here is the historical precedent for this expectation:
2024
- Launch of iOS 17.3: Monday January 22
- iOS 17.4 beta 1: Thursday January 25
2023
- iOS 16.3 launched: Monday January 23
- iOS 16.4 beta 1: Thursday February 16
2022
- iOS 15.3 launched: Wednesday January 26
- iOS 15.4 beta 1: Thursday January 27
As you can see, most of the time Apple releases their new x.4 beta very soon after the x.3 release. This pattern is true not only for these specific numbered updates, but also for Apple software in general.
If this standard pattern repeats itself, an iOS 18.4 beta is likely within the next week.
Possible longer wait for iOS 18.4
However, 2023 is a unique exception showing that anything is possible.
Apple has already announced, for example, that iOS 18.4 will be publicly available in April. As a result, a beta that starts in late January may seem a little early.
On the other hand, Apple has shown that for big AI releases, it wants to dedicate as much beta testing time as possible. And iOS 18.4 should be rich in new Apple Intelligence features.
As a result, I still tend to believe that we will see the iOS 18.4 beta soon. The more data Apple can get about the performance of the upgraded Siri, the better.
Do you think iOS 18.4 beta will arrive soon? Or are you expecting a delay? Let us know in the comments.
