Apple Seeds Second iOS 9.1 and tvOS Betas to Developers

ios_9_iconApple today seeded the second beta of iOS 9.1 to registered developers for testing purposes, two weeks after seeding the first iOS 9.1 beta following its fall "Hey Siri" event and one week after releasing the first version of iOS 9 to the public.

The new beta of iOS 9.1, build 13B5119e, is available as an over-the-air update and through the Apple Developer Center. Apple has also released a second beta of tvOS, build 13T5365h.

iOS 9.1 includes new features for the iPad Pro, adding support for accessories like the Smart Keyboard and the Apple Pencil, both of which are deeply integrated into the operating system. It also includes features that will allow the iPhone to interact with the new Apple TV.

iOS 9.1 also includes Unicode 8, adding support for some long-awaited emoji like the taco, burrito, cheese wedge, middle finger, unicorn head, and more, plus it includes a new "Hey Siri" Settings feature that lets the "Hey Siri" command be customized for an individual user's voice. On-demand voice activation for Siri using the "Hey Siri" command is a new feature in the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. On older devices, "Hey Siri" only activates Siri when plugged into a power source.

It is not clear when iOS 9.1 will be released to the public, but it's likely it will come in November, alongside the launch of the iPad Pro.

What's new in iOS 9.1 beta 2:

Messages - There's a new Messages option in the Settings app that allows users to disable contact photos.

showcontactsoption

Tag: iOS 9.1
Related Forum: iOS 9

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

nostaws Avatar
136 months ago
I wish I could have read receipts for just some people. I want my wife to know I have read her messages, but I don't want someone at work to get a read receipt.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Elbon Avatar
136 months ago
"long-awaited emoji"

Ha.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alonso Quijano Avatar
136 months ago
People complaining about the Emoji need to calm down, to be honest. Lots of people like using them.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BillyMatt87 Avatar
136 months ago
I wish Apple would spend more time fixing and improving the music app and the overall UI as opposed to adding emojis
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacSince1985 Avatar
136 months ago
iOS 9.1 also includes Unicode 8, adding support for some long-awaited emoji like the taco, burrito, cheese wedge, middle finger, unicorn head, and more
I hope this was written sarcastically.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Michaelgtrusa Avatar
136 months ago
Lets hope this addresses the lag issues that many here are seeing.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)