iOS 16 available in final version

Updated September 13, 2022:iOS 16 is available for everyone.

Update September 7, 2022: release of a new public beta for iOS 16 (and tvOS 16), this is the RC, or the last test version of the beta cycle. See details on this subject at the end of the article.

On June 6, Apple presented thenew version 16 of iOS, as part of the opening presentation of WWDC 2022. We were able to discover the many new features that the update will offer.

• Our conference summary

And as usual, a few moments after the keynote, the Californian firm made the first beta version of the software available to developers. Several developer and public betas were released regularly in the following weeks.

All Developer Beta Program and Public Beta Test Program enrollees can install and test iOS 16 Beta on their iPhone. This is also the case for tvOS 16, iPadOS 16 and watchOS 9, without forgetting macOS Ventura, the new version of the Mac OS.

Here's what the beta testing cycle looks like at this point:

• beta 1, released June 6, 2022
• beta 2, released June 22, 2022:This beta version refined new features brought by iOS 16, including customization of the locked screen, Quick Note, Stage Manager, etc. It also brings a new SMS sorting functionality with 12 categories and the possibility of declaring a message received as spam to its operator (for the United States only at this stage). Note also the addition of a major new feature: when a user running iOS 16 modifies or deletes a message in iMessage, if the recipient is not running iOS 16, they are still notified of the modification. See the illustrated changes of iOS 16 beta 2 in the video below:

• beta 3, released on July 6, 2022 (with a revised version published on July 11, 2022) with the following new features:
  
  • atrial fibrillation history in the Health app
  • photo album sharing support
  • Lockdown mode allowing many iOS functions to be restricted in the event of a suspected malware attack, in particular
  • new fonts to change lock screen
  • new Calendar widget for lock screen
  • support for virtual bank cards in Safari, a new clownfish wallpaper (for some users)
  • new Earth wallpaper for lock screen
  • new date options in Reminders

See the illustrated changes of iOS 16 beta 3 in the video below:

• public beta, released July 11, 2022
  • This version changed the interface of music player widget on lock screen. From now on, the latter takes up the entire screen with the cover clearly visible

• beta 4, released on July 27, 2022, followed by a second public beta a few hours later. What's new:
  • iMessage :new limitations for editing and deleting sent messages. These can only be modified 5 times, each modification is visible to the recipient, and the deletion time limit has been increased to 2 minutes (previously 15). Editing can still be done for 15 minutes
  • Locked screen:The Live Activites API is available to developers now. Live Activities allows you to display a widget on the locked screen with information updated in real time. The locked screen also benefits from adjustments to the personalization options
  • Accessibility:new setting inSettings > Accessibilityto adjust iOS and iPadOS devices detected around you
  • Mail :new option to define the time during which you can cancel sending an email, with a maximum of 30 seconds
  • CarPlay and Home:new wallpapers available

All the new iOS 16 beta 4 features in video:

• developer beta 5 and public beta 3: release on August 8, 2022. What’s new:
  • Autonomy:it is once again possible to display the remaining battery percentage at the top right of the iPhone, in the status bar where the Wi-Fi network strength is also located (go to Settings > Battery to display this icon). Please note, it seems that the third generation iPhone SE, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini are not yet compatible. This option disappeared with the arrival of the iPhone X and notches several years ago
  • Screenshot: now, when you take a screenshot, iOS 16 directly offers you “Copy and delete” the image using a dedicated shortcut
• developer beta 6 and public beta 4: release on August 16, 2022
  • mainly bug fixes and performance improvements

• Developer Beta 7 (5th Public Beta) for iOS and First Beta for iPadOS 16.1: Released August 22, 2022 with the following changes
  • mainly bug fixes and performance improvements
• beta 8 developers (6th public beta): release on August 29, 2022
  • optimizations and fixes only
• RC beta: release on September 7, 2022, with the following new features
  • new API allowing third-party applications to access Crash Detection data (car accident detection)
  • new accessibility setting for AirPods Pro 1 taking advantage of their touch control area
  • new useful setting to disable the always-on screen functionality of the new iPhone 14s

If you don't have a developer account, you can still try the latest iOS 16 beta,as explained there. However, we do not advise you to install a developer beta (if you are not a developer). For a question of risk of data loss, it is better to turn to the latest public beta of iOS 16.See here how to install iOS 16 in public beta.

Also read, all our articlesiOS 16etiPadOS 16, without forgettingour list of all the changes brought by iOS 16.

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.