Apple’s recently released iOS 8 is already installed on almost 70% of existing iOS devices, but the launch was far from smooth, as Apple had to constantly deal with some very serious bugs that were affecting users and issue subsequent fixes for some pressing issues. 9to5Mac has learned from sources that Apple is planning to take additional steps to ensure that future iOS releases go much smoother, at least when it comes to bugs and issues.

FROM EARLIER: Has Apple’s software quality taken ‘a nosedive’ lately?

The company will open access to iOS beta versions to retail store employees at some point in the near future. So far, only Apple engineers and developers have had access to beta versions of its mobile operating system.

Retail store employees, who have to deal with iOS issues on a regular basis as encountered by users, might provide better feedback to Apple iOS engineers and catch bugs a lot earlier than regular developers and users who take advantage of developer accounts solely to test a next-gen version of iOS.

Apple’s next iOS 8 update will be iOS 8.2, a major milestone for the mobile OS, as it’s expected to bring Apple Watch support in addition to various fixes and improvements.

Recently, Apple’s latest software releases have been criticized in the media, with various people saying that Apple has gotten sloppier with iOS and OS X launches than before.