How to download and install IOS 8 (Beta)

As you know by now, iOS 8 beta 1 download links are live for iPhone 5s, 5c, 5, 4S, iPad 2 and over, ipod touch 5G on Apple’s Dev Center. Apple unveiled iOS 8 to the world for the first time at WWDC 2014. iOS 8 brings a ton of new features to supported devices. More information on the features new in iOS 8 can be found here.

The following guide will help you download and install iOS 8 beta 1 on your device the right way. It is important to note that iOS 8 is compatible with iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, ipad Air, Retina iPad mini, iPad mini 1, iPad 4, iPad 3, iPad 2 and iPod touch 5. iPhone 4 is not supported.

How to download iOS 8 beta 1 and install it on your device the right way:

Before you begin installing the beta, you must make a complete backup of your device either via iTunes or via iCloud.

Step 1: Sign up at iOS Dev Center: developer.apple.com/programs/ios/

It will set you back a hundred bucks but its totally worth getting if you are into testing latest and greatest from Apple before anyone else.

Step 2: Once you have signed up, sign into iOS Dev Centerhttps://developer.apple.com/devcenter/ios/index.action using your Apple Id.

Step 3: You will now need to find and register the UDIDof the iOS device you want to install the beta on. The easiest way to find out the UDID is to plug your device into iTunes, selecting it, and then clicking on the serial number for it to show the UDID,

Simply copy this number by ctrl+c on Windows, or command+C on Mac.

Step 4: Now head over to developer.apple.com/account/ios/device/deviceList.action to register the UDID

Step 5: Now on the developer portal switch to ‘iOS 8 beta’ section, scroll down and download the required iOS 8 beta firmware for your device.

Step 6: The downloaded file will be in .ZIP format. Simply extract it to get .IPSW file.

Step 7: Once you have the IPSW file, launch iTunes (make sure you are on the latest version). Connect your IOS device to a Mac or PC.

Step 8: Now on Mac, hold the Alt key (on Windows PC, this will be the Shift key), and click on the Restore iPhone… button. iTunes will then allow you to select the .IPSW you extracted in the previous steps. Select it.

Step 9: Now sit back and relax as iTunes installs iOS 8 on your device. This should take a few minutes. Once done, you will be all set to go on the latest iOS 8 beta.