How to Download the iOS 15 Beta Profile, and How to Install iOS 15 Today

A note on this guide

This is a historical guide. iOS 15 came out in 2021, and the current version is iOS 27: iOS 27.0.1 is the latest public release and iOS 27.2 is in beta as of 19 October 2026. If your iPhone is an iPhone 11 or newer, you want our guide to downloading the iOS 27 beta, not this page.

Why the iOS 15 beta profile no longer works

During the iOS 15 era, Apple delivered betas through a configuration profile that you installed on the iPhone. That method no longer exists for two reasons.

• Profiles were retired. In 2023 Apple replaced them with the Beta Updates switch in Software Update, tied to your Apple Account.
• Old betas are not signed. An iPhone can only install a build that Apple is still signing. The iOS 15 betas stopped being signed once the final releases shipped.

Be wary of sites that still offer an iOS 15 beta profile for download. At best it does nothing; at worst it is a profile you should not have on your phone.

Which devices stop at iOS 15

iOS 15 ran on iPhones as old as the 2015 iPhone 6s. For these devices it is the final version:

Newer iPhones also ran iOS 15 but moved on to later versions. Today, every iPhone from the iPhone 11 and iPhone SE (2nd generation) onwards runs iOS 27; the iOS 27 supported devices list has the full set. For what life looks like once updates stop, read what happens when Apple stops supporting an iPhone.

Back up before you update or restore

Older phones often have worn batteries and nearly full storage, so protect your data first. A computer backup is quicker than iCloud and does not need paid iCloud storage.

1. Connect the iPhone to your computer with a Lightning cable.
2. Tap Trust on the iPhone if asked.
3. Open Finder on a Mac, or the Apple Devices app or iTunes on Windows, and select the iPhone.
4. Tick Encrypt local backup so Health data and saved passwords are included.
5. Click Back Up Now.
6. Archive the backup in Manage Backups so a later backup does not overwrite it.

How to install iOS 15 today

Method A: Software Update (no computer)

1. Connect to Wi-Fi and plug the iPhone in.
2. Open Settings › General › Software Update.
3. Install the iOS 15 update offered. On these models, Apple released iOS 15.8 and later security updates.

Method B: Update or restore from a computer

If the phone will not update over the air, or you want a clean install, use a Mac or PC.

1. Connect the iPhone and select it in Finder or the Apple Devices app.
2. Click Update to install the newest version the phone supports and keep your data.
3. Or click Restore iPhone for a clean install. This erases the phone, so restore your backup afterwards.

The computer downloads the right firmware for your model automatically. If you already have an IPSW file for your exact model, hold Option on a Mac or Shift on Windows while clicking Restore iPhone and choose the file. The restore only works if Apple still signs that version.

What iOS 15 brought

iOS 15 focused on concentration, sharing and a redesigned Safari.

• Focus. Profiles such as Work, Sleep and Personal that filter notifications, hide Home Screen pages and can show others in Messages that you are busy.
• SharePlay and FaceTime. Watching, listening or sharing your screen together over FaceTime, plus Voice Isolation and Portrait mode for calls.
• Live Text. Selecting text in the camera view and in photos. This needs an A12 Bionic or newer, so it does not work on the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 or first-generation SE.
• Safari redesign. The address bar moved to the bottom of the screen for easier one-handed use, and Tab Groups arrived.

Keeping an iOS 15 iPhone usable

The phone feels slow

Turn on Settings › Accessibility › Motion › Reduce Motion and turn off Background App Refresh for apps you rarely use in Settings › General › Background App Refresh.

The battery drains fast

Check Settings › Battery › Battery Health. Below 80 percent, the battery is degraded and iOS may limit peak performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns. A replacement is the best fix. Our guide to checking battery health explains the readings.

An app says it requires iOS 16

If you have downloaded the app before with your Apple Account, open the App Store, tap your profile, go to Purchased and download it from there. The App Store may offer the last version that supports iOS 15.

Security

iOS 15 receives no new features, and many banking and social apps now require a newer iOS. Use an iOS 15 device for light tasks and avoid relying on it for sensitive accounts.

What to do next

If you came here for a newer phone, the beta process today is free and needs no profile. The iOS 16 beta guide covers the next historical release, and the iOS 27 beta download guide covers the current one.

Frequently asked questions