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Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test out the software head of its official launch. The public betas come just a day after Apple provided the second betas to developers.

iOS-16.6-Feature.jpg

Those who have signed up their accounts for Apple's free beta testing program can enable the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to General, selecting Software Update, tapping on Beta Updates, and selecting the iOS 16 Public Beta option.

iOS 16.6 seems to be a relatively minor update, although Apple does appear to be laying the groundwork for the launch of the previously announced iMessage Contact Key Verification feature.

Development on iOS 16 is slowing down as Apple prepares for the unveiling of iOS 17 in just a few days at WWDC, and iOS 16.6 is likely to be one of the last updates to iOS 16 before the public release of iOS 17 expected in September.

Apple has also seeded a new beta of watchOS 9.6 to public beta testers.

Article Link: Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6
 
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iOS & iPadOS 16.6 Beta 2 Release Notes​

Known Issues​

  • Pairing a first Matter accessory in a new Apple Home will fail when paired by selecting an accessory from the nearby accessories list. (109905770)
    Workaround: Pair a first Matter accessory by scanning the QR code on the Add Accessory card in a new Apple Home. Subsequent matter accessories can be paired using the nearby accessories list.
iOS 16.6 beta 2 (20G5037d) - May 31, 2023
iPadOS 16.6 beta 2 (20G5037d) - May 31, 2023
macOS 13.5 beta 2 (22G5038d) - May 31, 2023
watchOS 9.6 beta 2 (20U5538d) - May 31, 2023
tvOS 16.6 beta 2 (20M5538d) - May 31, 2023
 
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Will they finally fix Focus? Since 16.4 was released, the ability to turn on a Focus (like Do Not Disturb) for the duration of a meeting in the calendar has been broken. My wife's 13 still has 16.3.1, and the feature works. It hasn't worked in 16.4, 16.4.1, or 16.5.
 
Will they finally fix Focus? Since 16.4 was released, the ability to turn on a Focus (like Do Not Disturb) for the duration of a meeting in the calendar has been broken. My wife's 13 still has 16.3.1, and the feature works. It hasn't worked in 16.4, 16.4.1, or 16.5.
Actually it is working… I just tested it with 16.6
 
Noticed massive improvements- 13PM (MNCP3LL/A)

-improved BT performance.

Previously lagged/Siri wouldn’t properly announce notifications or sound off.

- Inproved Wi-Fi performance.

Previously disconnected randomly.

-improved cell connectivity/reception.

Previously disconnected/reported can’t activate network. Also consistently drastically reduced net performance at times. Not an issue with cell tower.

- DND has been patched.

When collapsing notification tiles and swiping back up it’s still bugged. Almost there.
 
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