Apple has seeded the fifth betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 updates to developers and public beta testers. The new betas come two weeks following the release of the fifth betas.
The developer iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 beta builds are available to developers that opt into the betas by going to “Settings” -> “Software Update,” then tapping on the “Beta Updates” option and turning on the iOS 16 Developer Beta. An Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.
Public builds of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 can be downloaded via the Apple Beta Software Program website by users signed up to take part in the testing program. If you’re interested in trying out the betas of the upcoming operating systems you can sign up for the program by clicking the same link.
Those who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program can enable the beta by going into the Settings app, tapping General -> Software Update, then tapping on Beta Updates, and tapping on the iOS 16 Public Beta option.
iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 lay the groundwork for iMessage Contact Key Verification, which is meant to allow Apple device owners to 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.
This is likely one of the last updates we’ll see to both iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, as Apple has unveiled iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).
As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users to not install any betas on their daily driver iPhone or iPad. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.
