The designation refers to a pre-release version of Apple’s mobile operating system, intended for testing and development. It represents a specific iteration in the software development lifecycle, preceding the general public release. Such versions are typically distributed to developers and select users to identify and resolve bugs and stability issues before widespread deployment.
The release of such iterative versions allows for thorough refinement and optimization of the operating system. This phased rollout minimizes potential disruptions for end-users upon the final, public release. The data gathered from these test phases is crucial in ensuring a stable and feature-rich user experience.