How to Install iOS 6 beta (Developer preview)

Apple released their new version of their mobile operating system iOS and made them available soon after their keynote presentation at World Wide Developer Conference 2012 #WWDC2012

If you are a developer and have access to iOS developer area you are eligible to try the iOS 6 developer preview.

Before you want to switch to iOS 6 you might want to read the “Read Me Before Downloading” section, where it says;

• Be sure to backup your devices using iTunes 10.6.3 or through iCloud backup prior to installing iOS 6 beta. After installing iOS 6 beta, you can restore your device using either iTunes 10.6.3 or through your iCloud backup.
• This version of iOS is intended only for installation on development devices registered with Apple’s Developer Program. Attempting to install this version of iOS in an unauthorized manner could put your device in an unusable state, which could necessitate an out of warranty repair.
• Devices updated to iOS 6 beta can not be restored to earlier versions of iOS. Registered development devices will be able to upgrade to future beta releases and the final iOS 6 software.
• Xcode 4.5 Developer Preview cannot be used to submit apps to the iOS or Mac App Store. Continue to use the publicly released version of Xcode to compile and submit apps to the App Stores.
• Xcode 4.5 Developer Preview and iOS 6 beta are pre-release software and are considered Apple Confidential Information and are subject to the terms of your iOS Developer Program License Agreement. Unauthorized distribution or disclosure of Apple Confidential Information is prohibited.

If you have no issues with the points above and also agree to the terms and conditions of the new updated user agreement you are good to go.

Step 1 : Download the iOS6 developer preview.

Download the specific version of the iOS device and download the dmg file.

For this demonstration Ill be using an iPhone 4S and I am downloading the iOS 6 beta for iPhone 4S which is 876MB.

Step 2: Backup your phones settings and data.

Once you have that ready go to iTunes and create a backup of your current iPhone. It is recommended to have iTunes 10.6.3 (The version released after the keynote).

 

and create a backup of your iPhone by right clicking on the device.

 

Step 3 : Make sure your phone has the developer profile activated

Open Xcode and check if the phone has the “Provisioning Profile” activated. You can check that by going to Window -> Organizer in xCode.

If your device is not activated for developer testing. It will prompt you. You will have to just follow the wizard to activate it.

It should look something similar to below.

 

 

Step 4: Install iOS 6 to your iPhone

The step you’ve been waiting for.

• Double click on the downloaded dmg file to mount it.
• Go to iTunes and select your device.
• Hold down the option key and click on the restore button in iTunes.
• Select the ipsw file from the mounted drive.

 

 

 

and your phone will show progress and restart few times. Time might take a bit long depending on the phone model you have. The iPhone 4S that I used for this demo took nearly 5 min to complete the restore.

Once its successfully restored it will ask you to connect to iTunes and when you do it should give the following message.

Follow along the steps and restore your backup and you will have iOS 6 with all your personal data and your high scores in Game Center, etc..

Final Step: ENJOY!!!

Go to your phone details and check for its software version details.

 

Play with the new iOS and its services. Download the latest Xcode 4.5 with iOS 6 SDK and follow along with the iOS developer guide to adopt them to your apps.

Let us know how it goes.. Good Luck..

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