Apple has released iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 beta 2 builds to developers. The updates are available via Apple Developer Center, as well as via over-the-air updates for devices that are enrolled to receive beta updates.
Apple announced iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 with a number of new features including lock screen customization, Focus enhancements, iCloud Shared Photo Library, updates to Mail, Health, Fitness, Safari, Messages, Family Sharing, Live Text, Visual Lookup, and much more.
What’s new in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 beta?
Beta 2
June 22 – Apple has released the second beta for iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 to developers.
As per the release notes, the following new features are available in this beta:
- Customers using iOS 16 can now back up their device over an LTE cellular connection, as well as a 5G or Wifi connection
- HealthKit workout APIs now support multisport workouts with activities of swimming, cycling, and running.
- New data types for running workout metrics like running power, ground contact time, vertical oscillation, running speed, and stride length.
- A new data type is available to track AFib History
- Allows developers to classify incoming SMS from unknown numbers into 12 new sub-categories within Transaction and Promotion categories for improved organization.
- For Indian users, Messages now supports event extraction from SMS. These event and appointment messages are presented as Siri suggestions and also are presented to users in Messages thread and in Calendar Inbox.
- For selected US Carriers, Messages extends the “Report Junk” feature to enable users to report SMS/MMS junk to Carriers. The option is visible inside Messages from Unknown Senders.
- Messages now supports the ability for customers with a dual SIM iPhone to filter their messages based on their SIMs.
- Lockscreen has two new color filters: Duo tone and Colour wash
Beta 1
June 6 – Apple has released the first betas to developers. The first public betas are expected to release next month.
The detailed release notes are available here, while you can read our coverage of the new iOS 16 features below:
- iOS 16 updates CarPlay with multiple screens support within a vehicle
- Wallet in iOS 16: Share Keys, Ordering Tracking and Apple Pay Later
- Messages in iOS 16: edit and undo sending messages, SharePlay and more
- iOS 16 privacy features: Safety Check, lock hidden photo albums, and others
- New iCloud Shared Photo Library announced for iOS 16 as a part of Family Sharing
- Using TrueDepth camera on iPhone, iOS 16 allows users to create Personal Spatial Audio profiles
- iOS 16 brings smarter and more intuitive Siri, Dictation, and Live Text features
- iOS 16 updates Apple Maps with new Multistop routing, Pay for Transit and other features
- iOS 16 privacy features: Safety Check, lock hidden photo albums, and others
We will continue to update this post as we discover new features and changes.
Compatible devices
The following devices are compatible with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 beta:
- iPhone 8 and later
- iPad Pro (all models)
- iPad Air 3 and later
- iPad 5th generation and later
- iPad mini 5 and later
Apple has dropped support for iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus.
Installation
If you are an Apple Developer Center member, you can download the beta profiles, or restore images, and install them on your iPhone or iPad. If you do not have a membership, you will have to spend $99 per year to sign up. However, note that you can always find the beta profile, which is required to enroll an iPhone or iPad in the beta program, from Reddit or other sources.
You can also wait for the public beta, which will be available next month. The public betas are available for free, and generally more stable than the developer beta releases.
