Apple announced iOS 9 at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference on Monday. When it becomes available to the general iPhone toting population in September, iOS 9 will bring a host of new features and improvements over its predecessor, iOS 8.

The new features in iOS 9 include a more intelligent and proactive Siri, multitasking functionality for the iPad, public transit directions in Maps, a new News app, and more.

Improvements on iOS 8 include a redesigned Notes app, six-digit passcode, improved battery life and performance, and more.

On the same day, Apple seeded iOS 9 beta 1 for registered iOS developers. Developers can log into Apple’s Developer Center and download the beta version along with release notes and other relevant information.

If; however, you are not a developer, but merely an iPhone toting member of John Q. Public who likes to stay on the cutting edge of technology and still want early access to iOS 9, there is good news for you.

If you are willing to part with the $99 a year it costs to sign up for Apple’s developer program, iOS 9 is yours for the taking.

It is crucial to mention at this point that iOS 9 is only a beta release and is bound to buggy and not optimized for everyday use. Intended for developers, it is unlikely to be very useful to the average iPhone user.

How to install iOS 9 beta 1:

• Sign up for an account at Apple’s iOS developer site.
• Click the iOS 9 beta link under the main menu and select your iPhone or iPad model from the list.
  • Compatible devices include iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5s, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5, iPhone 4s, iPad Air 1 and 2, iPad mini 1-3, Third- and fourth-generation iPad, and fifth-generation iPod touch.
• Ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed.
• Backup your device with iTunes.
• Unzip the downloaded file to your desktop.
• In iTunes, select your iPhone or iPad and hold down the Option key while clicking “Check for update.”
• Select the iOS 9 beta file you just downloaded and unzipped.
• Restore your data from the iTunes backup.

As mentioned, the software is likely to be buggy and may not work as expected. It could also cause unexpected system issues on your device, so proceed at your own risk.

For a more comprehensive guide on how to install iOS 9 beta 1, visit iPhone Hacks.

Screenshot: SiliconANGLE via apple.com