Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to Developers

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the second 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 first 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 lay the groundwork for iMessage Contact Key Verification. It 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.

The feature is designed for Apple users who are facing “extraordinary digital threats.” Apple intends for iMessage Contact Key Verification to be used by journalists, human rights activists, government officials, and others who are in danger of malicious digital attacks from state-sponsored attackers or other malicious actors.

Apple said that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available on the iPhone and other Apple devices at some point in 2023, and it is one of the last features we are expecting to see in iOS 16. In the first beta, hints of iMessage Contact Key were available, but the option was not fully enabled.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Second Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to Developers

 

[Realityck]

Availability of iOS/IPadOS 16.6b2 is well timed, gives the PB to be out tomorrow likely still an additional day before everything goes WWDC.

 

[Darren.h]

I hope they fixed the iPhone 8 slow down issues. I'm happy with my iPhone 8 and have no desire to go back to the 14 pro max. and the 7 inch monster iPhone 16 coming in 2024.

 

[Ingo Brocksom]

Well still don’t have a developer acc and can still download dev beta 😂

 

[Realityck]

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.

 

[Realityck]

Released today
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

 

[4LSD]

After the debacle with 16.5 beta and public release that borked the CCK, I’m surprised that a fix for that didn’t become available prior to another buggy beta release.

I’m not bitter though honest 👀😂

 

[sdwaltz]

Can we just get Airplay 2, please...

 

[Fatwalrus93]

How long does it usually take for a new iOS iteration to go from announced to being able to download the beta version?

 

[Realityck]

How long does it usually take for a new iOS iteration to go from announced to being able to download the beta version?

The current 16.x releases are one to two days after the dev release, unless there is something preventing seeding. If you mean to ask about WWDC next IOS 17 announcements, then the public beta recipients won't see any seeding until almost July or a bit afterwards. (usually beta 3 by then) Then the same delay would for apply for incremental PB betas some time later from dev seeds as stated first sentence.

 

[Fatwalrus93]

The current 16.x releases are one to two days after the dev release, unless there is something preventing seeding. If you mean to ask about WWDC next IOS 17 announcements, then the public beta recipients won't see any seeding until almost July or a bit afterwards. (usually beta 3 by then) Then the same delay would for apply for incremental PB betas some time later from dev seeds as stated first sentence.

Thank you!

 

[Jay Bly]

All right, anyone got anything to report yet. Any changes?

 

[3166792]

Can we just get Airplay 2, please...

Came out almost exactly 5 years ago.

 

[mattopotamus]

Well still don’t have a developer acc and can still download dev beta 😂

I'm guessing it changes when IOS 17 drops, although the fact we already have the developer profile downloaded might allow it to continue to work.

 

[robertcoogan]

iOS just seems like so much bloat now. It's like MS Office - there are more features there than you could possibly hope to use.

 

[_Spinn_]

I’m interested in seeing how iMessage Contact Key Verification works in practice.

 

[Realityck]

The iOS/IpadOS 16.6 beta 2 PB is now available OTA.

 

[sdwaltz]

Came out almost exactly 5 years ago.

Not for systemwide sounds.

I'd love to hook a HomePod Mini to my Macbook Pro when I have the MBP hooked to my workstation but the lag is just awful.