How to Try New Tech Features for Free

Being a beta tester of a certain age could help the big tech companies design better for older adults.

Not all beta software is the same

Some tests are invitation-only while others are pretty much available to anyone.

Those marked as developer betas, often with a number that designates how far along it is in the process, are not targeted at consumers.

On the other hand, public betas are something ordinary people have the green light to check out. In theory, these betas are more stable, though you’re still given no assurances that they’re glitch-free or have every promised feature up and running.

New software can be beta-ish

Cynically, the same often can be said even after a program is commercially released, a chief reason why tech companies routinely issue software updates and why you should take advantage of them. Even after a product launches, some features may remain in beta.

Gmail famously carried the beta label from April Fools’ Day 2004 when Google first rolled out its free email program through early summer 2009 when the beta tag was finally removed after The New York Times asked, “What took Google so long?”

People needed an invitation to try Gmail during its first several years. Nonetheless, millions used it while it was technically still in beta, and looking back, there were no major blowups.

To take a more current example, Apple made some Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence features available as part of a public beta a few weeks before its scheduled October rollout. We’ll see if it still carries a beta label after its formal launch.

If you have a compatible iPhone, you can find beta updates under Settings | General | Software Update | Beta Updates.

How do I participate as a beta user?

In general, you have to sign up to participate in a beta program and play by the company’s rules.

In Apple’s case, you must sign in with a valid Apple account and agree not to install the beta software on any devices that you don’t directly control or that you share with others. You’re instructed not to blog or post screenshots or other information about the beta software on social media. Nor are you to discuss the beta software with or demonstrate it to people not in the Apple Beta Software Program. 

While encouraging feedback during the process, Apple cautions users that “beta software may contain errors or inaccuracies and may not function as well as commercially released software.” Lest you wonder, you won’t be compensated for your participation in the company’s beta program even if you provide that feedback.

You won’t receive any remuneration from Google either. The Alphabet-owned company offers similar warnings for Android betas.

“The updates that you’ll receive as a part of the beta program are prerelease versions and may contain errors and defects that can affect the normal functioning of your device,” Google’s advisory states.

Google will let you opt out of the beta program to return to whatever state of Android is in use. But all user data on the device you had been testing will be wiped out.

Indeed, if you’re thinking of soldiering on despite the hazards associated with iOS, Android or other beta software and features, make sure to back up your devices before you enroll them in the respective beta programs. This will ease some of your pain when and if it’s time to revert.

Bonus tip: Don’t expect tech support as a beta tester

Assuming the risks as a beta tester means you shouldn't expect any official technical support from the companies. But you’re not left completely on your own.

Google will let you check an online issue tracker to see if other people have run into similar problems. The company suggests posting a question in the Android Beta community on Reddit with hopes that a fellow community member may help.