If you’re planning to install the iPadOS 14 beta on your iPad, you’ll want to take some free time as the download and installation can take some time.
The final version of iPadOS 14 won’t be out until fall, but if you join Apple’s beta program you can try an early version right now.
iPadOS 14 beta is available to developers and those enrolled in Apple’s Beta Software Program. The Beta Software Program is free.
iPadOS 14 beta is full of changes. Highlights include improvements to Messages, compact user interfaces, and a few iPad-exclusive upgrades. It may be tempting to try the beta, but many people should stick with iPadOS 13.
If you decide to download the iPadOS 14 beta, you’ll want to spend time preparing yourself and your device for migration. And depending on the current state of your tablet and your skill level, this may take some time.
The beta requires a significant download and may take some time to complete the download and installation on your iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro or iPad mini.
We can’t say exactly how long it will take to install because it will vary from person to person and device to device. A lot depends on your familiarity with the beta process, your internet connection, and your current iPadOS version.
However, we can help you estimate how long it will take you to install the iPadOS 14 beta on your device.
If you are prepared for installation, it may take 30 minutes or less to complete. If you’re not, it may take an hour or more to get the job done.
| Duty | Time |
|---|---|
| Synchronization (Optional) | 5-45 Minutes |
| Backup and Transfer (Optional) | 1-30 Minutes |
| iPadOS 14 Beta Download | 5 Minutes to 15 Minutes |
| iPadOS 14 Beta Installation | 10 Minutes to 20 Minutes |
| Total iPadOS 14 Beta Update Time | 15 Minutes to 1 Hour+ |
Pre-Installation
If you decide to install the beta on your iPad, you will want to spend time preparing for the installation.
If you’ve previously installed the iPadOS beta software, it probably won’t take much time. If this is your first time going, you’ll want to take your time.
We’ve published a pre-installation guide that will walk you through the various steps we usually take before downloading and installing beta software on iPad.
At the very least, you’ll want to back up everything on your iPad in case something goes wrong. You’ll also want to review feedback from iPadOS 14 beta testers, flag fixes for potential issues, and familiarize yourself with the downgrade process in case you want to revert to iPadOS 13.
iPadOS 14 Beta Download
If you’re migrating your iPad from iPadOS 13.5.1 to the iPadOS 14 beta, your download will be several GB. In some cases, the download may be closer to 5 GB.
If you’re using the latest version of iPadOS 13 and you have a high-speed Wi-Fi connection at work or home, your download may only take a few minutes to complete.
If your iPad is running an older version of iPadOS 13 and/or you have a slow internet connection, it will take longer.
iPadOS 14 Beta Installation
After the download is complete, you need to install the beta. This process may take 10 minutes or longer to complete.
If this is your first time installing the iPadOS beta software, it will take longer. This is especially true if you currently plan to install iPadOS 14 beta without a developer account.
After downloading the appropriate file, the installation will begin. Your device may reboot once or twice during this process. This is completely normal and will have no effect on your device.
For more information on installing iPadOS 14 beta, take a look at our step-by-step guides. It will take you step by step through the process.
Post install
After you’ve got the iPadOS 14 beta up and running, you may need to spend time logging back into iCloud, your apps, and your services.
We recommend checking all your important files to make sure everything is ok. We also recommend testing core apps to make sure they’re working properly.
Apps, especially third-party apps, often run poorly on beta software, so you’ll want to make sure your most important services are available. If not, you may need to revert to iPadOS 13.
You’ll also want to monitor your device’s performance. Battery life, overall speed and connectivity (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) may start working. If that happens, you might want to revert back to stable software.
The last update is 2022-03-13. This post may contain affiliate links. Click here to read our disclosure policy for more details. Images via Amazon API
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