Apple taking down websites sharing iOS 16 developer beta: reports

Two websites providing download links for pre-release iOS 16 software have been shut down in the past few weeks.

The websites, BetaProfiles.com and IPSW.dev., were providing software installation links for all Apple devices, but are now no longer accessible.

BetaProfiles.com tweeted that it shut down to avoid a "legal battle with Apple", not giving away if they received a legal threat or notice from Apple.

Allegedly, lawyers representing Apple provided social media website, Twitter, with a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice for tweets that contained links to websites like IPSW.dev. The notice claimed that the tweets were an infringement on Apple's proprietary beta software.

IPSW.dev was providing files of iOS 16 developer beta and other pre-release Apple software through download links of Apple's servers or file sharing with WeTransfer or Torrents. BetaProfiles.com's notice that users had to be part of Apple's Developer Program to download the profiles, was usually ignored.

Apple's developer beta is only available for Apple's Developer Program users who subscribe for $99 annually in the United States.