Apple Seeds Fifth Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the fifth betas of upcoming iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after the release of the fourth betas.

Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the “Beta Updates” option and toggling on the iOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 may lay the groundwork for iMessage Contact Key Verification. The feature is meant to let Apple device owners verify that they are messaging with the people they intend to message rather than a malicious entity that has intercepted a message or is eavesdropping on a conversation.

In the first beta, hints of iMessage Contact Key were available, but the option was not fully enabled and the references have since been removed, so it remains unclear if this is something we can expect to see in iOS 16.6.


Article Link: Apple Seeds Fifth Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

 

[Scott H]

16.6 has been working great!

 

[zorinlynx]

This is a long beta period for a minor update especially since iOS 17 is in beta too. I wonder what they are changing that requires so much testing.

 

[wellander1]

The last major update to a version usually has a longer beta cycle.
See https://www.thinkybits.com/blog/iOS-versions/

 

[Realityck]

To devs today, still some issues as no RC yet

• iOS 16.6 beta 5 (20G5070a) - July 10, 2023
• iPadOS 16.6 beta 5 (20G5070a) - July 10, 2023
• macOS 13.5 beta 5 (22G5072a) - July 10, 2023
• watchOS 9.6 beta 5 (20U5570a) - July 10, 2023
• tvOS 16.6 beta 5 (20M5571a) - July 10, 2023

 

[Populus]

This is a long beta period for a minor update especially since iOS 17 is in beta too. I wonder what they are changing that requires so much testing.

Maybe they want it to be as polished as they can, especially for iPhone 8 and X users.

 

[Ilde]

Hi,

There is also a security update to iOS 16.5.1

 

[hovscorpion12]

Thank you so much @Realityck!!

Looks like GMs/final builds could some soon. I suspect public release end of July

 

[Mr. Dee]

This is a long beta period for a minor update especially since iOS 17 is in beta too. I wonder what they are changing that requires so much testing.

Yeah, its strangely taking a long time, but I wonder if its related to the newer version beta's? Engineering resources might have been depleted to work on iOS 17.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Can't wait for the sixth beta!

 

[_Spinn_]

Surprised we haven’t seen RC yet.

 

[roncron]

This is a long beta period for a minor update especially since iOS 17 is in beta too. I wonder what they are changing that requires so much testing.

You’re right. Maybe their team is stretched thin, between iOS 17 and GogglesOS or whatever it’s called.

 

[roncron]

Can't wait for the sixth beta!

The sixth will be total garbage compared to the eighth. 😉

 

[therunningman]

Public beta is available

 

[Realityck]

Public beta is available

That’s indicative to next being a RC. Same day PB.

 

[therunningman]

Public beta is now available!

 

[Unregistered 4U]

At some point in the future, there will be those that were unaware that Public Betas would normally come out days or weeks after the developer beta. To those folks, this maddening 3 hour wait will be inexcusable and they’ll be calling for the head of Tim Apple.

 

[Squuiid]

Are they actually gonna fix this Home issue before release?! Not looking likely at this stage.

iOS & iPadOS 16.6 Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation

Update your apps to use new features, and test your apps against API changes.

developer.apple.com

 

[ellsworth]

I hope this fixes the awful battery drain that iOS 16.5.1 came with.