Apple just made iOS 7.1 Beta 2 available for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners before official release. It includes several changes and fixes found on beta 1 but some users disagree to get the update. Here are features of iOS 7 beta 2 and steps on how to run it on your device.

iOS 7 Beta 2 Features

Apple delivered a few changes on the second beta such as 'dark keyboard' feature, small tweaks and improvements for iOS 7.1.

  1. Noticeable faster animations
  2. Touch ID and Passcode configurations are now found on the fourth option in the Settings main menu
  3. Calendar list view has been redesigned
  4. New option to turn on button shapes in iOS
  5. Dark keyboard enabling option removed
  6. New iPad wallpapers
  7. Bug fix for iTunes Match
  8. Fixes on crash logs
  9. New logos and dialogues in the Notification Centre
  10. New Car Display setting

How to Install iOS 7.1 Beta 2

If you are interested to get the latest version of iOS 7.1, here are the steps and qualified iOS devices for the second beta of the current iOS release.

1. Registered iOS developers are free to download iOS 7.1 beta 2. It costs $99 per year if you are still unregistered.

2. You need the iDevice's identifier located on the back of your iOS device or via identifier list provided by Apple for iPhone and iPad.

3. Create a backup of everything stored on your iOS since the version is in beta which may cause major data loss or other errors.

4. Download the iOS 7 beta 2 for the appropriate iPhone model:

  1. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 5s (Model A1457, A1518, A1528, A1530)
  2. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 5c (Model A1456, A1532)
  3. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 5c (Model A1507, A1516, A1526, A1529)
  4. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 5 (Model A1428)
  5. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 5 (Model A1429)
  6. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 4s
  7. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 4 (GSM Rev A)
  8. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 4 (GSM)
  9. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPhone 4 (CDMA)

5. Download the iOS 7 beta 2 for the appropriate iPad model:

  1. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad Air (Model A1474)
  2. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad Air (Model A1475)
  3. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad mini (Model A1489)
  4. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad mini (Model A1490)
  5. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad (4th generation Model A1458)
  6. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad (4th generation Model A1459)
  7. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad (4th generation Model A1460)
  8. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad mini (Model A1432)
  9. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad mini (Model A1454)
  10. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad mini (Model A1455)
  11. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad Wi-Fi (3rd generation)
  12. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for ATT)
  13. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular (model for Verizon)
  14. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad 2 Wi-Fi (Rev A)
  15. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad 2 Wi-Fi
  16. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (GSM)
  17. iOS 7.1 beta 2 release - iPad 2 Wi-Fi + 3G (CDMA)

6. Download the iOS 7.1 beta 2 for iPod Touch 5th generation only.

7. Connect your iOS device to your computer then launch the iTunes program.

8. Select "restore your iPhone/iPad" with the iOS 7.1 beta 2 file having ".ipsw" file extension. On Mac computers, hold down the "alt/option" when clicking "restore" while on Windows, hold down "shift" instead.

9. Installation may take several minutes and the device should be connected to its power as well during the process. Your iOS device may reboot once or twice during the update.

10.Well done! Your iOS device is now running iOS 7.1 beta 2 version of Apple's new iOS.

Issues on Updating with iOS 7.1 Beta

ben824 of Macrumors.com, warns users of the risk of updating iOS devices to 7.1 beta 2, because rollback to beta 1 would not be possible. Based on the warning, devices running iOS 7.1 beta 1 shouldn't update to beta 2 for Apple will check if you are a registered developer unlike the former.

If the owner isn't registered, the device won't be able to rollback to its earlier version even if using iOS 7.1 beta. However, other members in the forum debate on whether to update or not to the new beta version.

So if you don't mind getting an update of the latest version, defy the OTA procedure and manually do it instead according to the forum members.