Apple Seeds Sixth Beta of iOS 12 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

Apple today seeded the sixth beta of an upcoming iOS 12 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fifth beta and over two months after introducing the new software at the Worldwide Developers Conference.

Registered developers can download the new iOS 12 beta from Apple's Developer Center or over-the-air after installing the proper certificate.


iOS 12 introduces major updates to iOS, with Apple revamping the operating system from top to bottom to make iPhones and iPads, especially the older models, faster and more responsive.

On the iPhone X, there are new Animoji characters along with "Memoji," which are customizable, personalized, humanoid Animoji that can be used both in Messages and in FaceTime. Messages and FaceTime have also gained fun new camera effects, and Group FaceTime support allows for video chats with up to 32 people.

Siri is smarter in iOS 12 with a new Shortcuts feature that lets you create multi-step customized automations using first and third-party apps that can be activated with Siri voice commands. Shortcuts can be created through the Shortcuts app, available as a beta from Apple's Developer Center.

Apple built comprehensive time management and monitoring tools into iOS 12 with Screen Time, allowing you to keep track of how much time you're spending in apps on your iPhone and iPad. App limits can help you cut back on iOS device usage, and robust parental controls are included for families.

iOS 12 Memoji
Updated Do Not Disturb options make activating Do Not Disturb more intuitive and simple, and a new Do Not Disturb at Bedtime feature cuts down on nighttime distractions and sleep interruptions.

ios 12 screen time
Group Notifications make incoming notifications easier to view and manage, while a new Instant Tuning feature lets you tweak your notification settings right on the Lock screen on a notification-by-notification basis.


Apple News has a new Browse feature, the Stocks app has been redesigned and brought to the iPad, iBooks has been overhauled with a new look and a new name -- Apple Books -- and Voice Memos has been revamped with iCloud support and an iPad app.

ARKit 2.0 introduces new capabilities like shared experiences that let two people see the same AR environment on separate devices, and persistence, which allows AR experiences to be saved across multiple sessions. There's also a new Apple-built Measure app for measuring objects using AR capabilities.

iOS 12 includes a revamped and rebuilt Maps app that uses a new Apple-designed Maps engine that will display foliage, pools, buildings, pedestrian pathways, and other map elements more accurately. The new Maps also includes significant improvements to traffic, real-time road conditions, construction, and more, plus it will enable Apple to push out changes and fixes more quickly.

ios12newmapssf
The updated Maps app is available in the Northern California area during beta testing. After iOS 12 launches, Apple will continue rolling out the new maps to additional U.S. locations across late 2018 and 2019.

Tons of other small tweaks and features have been added to iOS 12, so make sure to check out our dedicated roundup for additional detail on what's new in iOS 12.

Early betas of new operating system updates always introduce tweaked features and new functionality, and we'll be outlining what's new in the fourth beta below. We also rounded up all of the changes that were introduced in the previous betas, beta 2 and beta 3, beta 4, and beta 5.

iOS 12 is available for developers and public beta testers, with a public launch planned for the fall alongside new iPhones.

What's new in iOS 12 beta 6: According to Apple, today's beta introduces new bugs and issues while solving some previous problems.

  • The third-generation Apple TV might not function as a HomeKit hub in beta 6, and the Apple TV 4K might not appear as a HomeKit hub unless setup was completed using an iOS device. This can be fixed by adding the Apple TV to the home via Settings > AirPlay > Room.
  • Settings might unexpectedly quit when viewing or selecting a voice in the Speech Accessibility options.
  • Settings might unexpectedly quit when attempting to open Siri & Search settings if FaceTime, Mail, Maps, or Voice Memos have been uninstalled. If this is happening, Apple suggests installing the missing apps.
  • When using certain shortcuts, Siri might not automatically open the app and will instead display an Open button.

Multiple bugs from the prior beta have been fixed, including an issue with Bluetooth accessories not functioning correctly, a bug that could cause Apple Pay Cash to crash when used with Siri, a problem with Shortcuts not working, a bug that prevented Siri from opening apps by name in CarPlay, and more.

The Home app also introduces new solid-colored background options while removing previously available Home wallpapers.

Update: Apple has also made a new version of iOS 12 available for its public beta testing group.

Related Forum: iOS 12

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
imac video apple feature

Apple Launching These 15+ Products Later This Year

Sunday July 6, 2025 8:05 am PDT by
The calendar has turned to July, meaning that 2025 is now more than half over. And while the summer months are often quiet for Apple, the company still has more than a dozen products coming later this year, according to rumors. Below, we have outlined at least 15 new Apple products that are expected to launch later this year, along with key rumored features for each. iPhone 17 Series iPho...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
91 months ago
August 6
Beta 6
iPhone = 6 letters

666

Aliens are trying to communicate with us
Score: 47 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FunnelDog Avatar
90 months ago
August 6
Beta 6
iPhone = 6 letters

666

Aliens are trying to communicate with us
August = 8 (launches in September so +1 = 9)
IOS = 12 (but most people have old one so = 11)

9/11 was an inside job.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Guda.FL Avatar
91 months ago
My SE is performing way better than any previous final OS release. Great work this time around.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ikir Avatar
90 months ago
Maps still has no good color contrast between roads and surroundings?
This makes it useless (outside). Where is Maps used the most again?

Same with Weather that shows rain on future days as light blue stripes on a light blue background.

Why can't they have the basics of design right?
Personally I have no issue with Maps, I use it on CarPlay and on my iPhone, I can see everything quite clearly even outside. I like design and colours much more than Google maps
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
peterharte Avatar
91 months ago
August 6
Beta 6
iPhone = 6 letters

666

Aliens are trying to communicate with us
Aliens? The Devil!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bryan1andersons Avatar
91 months ago
That’s unexpected
last year the first release in August was a week after the release in July, every Monday from then on out an update was released.. so yay!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)