Apple has released the first beta versions of iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 to users who are participating in the developer beta testing program. Presumably a public beta will arrive soon as well.
Additionally, watchOS 7.1 beta 1 and tvOS 14.2 beta 1 are also available, along with macOS Big Sur beta 7.
iOS 14.2 beta 1 and iPadOS 14.2 beta 1 arrive just a day after the final versions of iOS 14, iPadOS 14, tvOS 14, and watchOS 7 were released to the general public.
Presumably iOS 14.2 beta and iPadOS 14.2 beta focus on bug fixes, feature enhancements, and perhaps some other minor changes to the recently released iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 builds.
How to Download iOS 14.2 Beta 1 & iPadOS 14.2 Beta 1
Users who are actively participating in beta testing programs for iOS and iPadOS can find the newest beta available to download on their eligible iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch hardware.
Be sure to backup your device before installing any beta system software update.
- Open the “Settings” app on the iPhone or iPad
- Go to “General” and to “Software Update”
- Choose “Download and Install” when you see that “iOS 14.2 beta 1” or “iPadOS 14.2 beta 1” is available to update
As with any other system software update, a reboot is required to complete installation.
It’s noteworthy that versioning of the first beta is iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 rather than iOS 14.1 and iPadOS 14.1, but perhaps Apple is planning on releasing those point release updates as interim releases with bug fixes. Another possibility is that the iOS 14.1 releases will come alongside new iPhone models, which are widely rumored to arrive sometime next month.
No major new features or changes are expected in iOS 14.2 or iPadOS 14.2, as the majority of new features are already baked into the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 releases.