A pre-release version of Apple’s mobile operating system, intended for developers and public testers, allows for experimentation with new features and the identification of potential software defects prior to a widespread public launch. For instance, prior to the official release of iOS 17, a series of such versions were distributed to a select group for evaluation.
This preliminary distribution is crucial for ensuring software stability and user satisfaction. It offers the advantage of gathering real-world usage data, facilitating the refinement of the operating system based on diverse user feedback, and mitigating the impact of critical bugs that might otherwise affect millions of devices. This process has evolved from limited developer seeds to broader public programs, increasing the scope of pre-release testing.