iOS 9.3 beta released: Apple gives public access to new iPhone and iPad software early

The software isn’t yet ready for full release, and so comes with a range of caveats, but iOS 9.3 brings a range of improvements that you might want to get your hands on early

Switching from iOS to Android is likely to remain difficult for the time being (PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images)

The beta of the new version of iOS has been released, allowing people to get hold of the new iPhone operating system early.

iOS 9.3 has been pushed out through Apple’s public beta programme, which allows people to sign up to get early versions of the software.

The new operating system brings a range of new changes, the biggest of which is called Night Shift. That allows the phone to change the colour temperature as it goes dark, taking away the harsh blues and increasing the warmer yellows — a move that helps sleep and stops harsh glare when using the phone in the dark.

Anyone can get access to the new software by heading to Apple’s public beta programme page. Devices have to be signed up separately, which means that it can be installed on your iPhone and not your iPad, for instance.

The software is admittedly shaky, given that it is explicitly for testing, and Apple asks for feedback with any problems. Apple recommends backing up the phone before upgrading, which is a must since that backup could be used in the case of any issues and if you want to leave the beta scheme.

The full version isn't likely to be released for a few weeks.

But in return for those minor issues, Apple is giving early access to those who sign up. As well as Night Shift, the update brings changes to the Health and Notes apps, as well as upgrades for the iPad that allow it to be used with multiple users.

Apple’s beta programme is available for Mac OS as well as iOS, and both can be accessed from the company’s page.

Once the update is installed, Night Shift is enabled from the Brightness & Display options. As well as being used to turn it on, that menu allows you to set how yellow you’d like the phone to be at night time and when you’d like it to get turned on.