Apple to Release iOS 16 and watchOS 9 on September 12

Apple today announced that iOS 16 and watchOS 9 will be available to all users with compatible iPhone and Apple Watch models on Monday, September 12.

iOS 16 Customizable Lock Screen
iOS 16 was first previewed by Apple in June, and over the last several months, it has undergone beta testing with app developers and members of the public beta program. iOS 16 is a significant release, with major features including an entirely redesigned and customizable Lock Screen, the ability to temporarily edit iMessages, and much more.

The new Lock Screen allows customers to customize various visual elements to create their perfect Lock Screen. Customers can choose different fonts and colors for the clock, add widgets, add new wallpapers with depth effects, and more.

ios 16 lock screen customization
Besides the newly redesigned Lock Screen, Apple has also brought highly requested features to the Messages app. Users in iOS 16 can now edit messages up to 15 minutes after they've been sent and can unsend a message up to 2 minutes after they may have accidentally sent it. Improvements to SharePlay and collaboration within Messages are also a part of iOS 16.

iMessage
In other core apps such as Mail and Safari, Apple is also improving features like Spotlight search and adding new ones like undo and schedule send for emails, Shared Tab Groups, Safari Passkeys, and more. Apple Maps is also gaining noteworthy features, including multi-stop routing and transit card support.

Unlike in previous years, Apple is not releasing iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 simultaneously. While iOS 16 will be available to ‌iPhone‌ users on Tuesday, September 13, iPadOS 16 will be available later this fall. iOS 16 is compatible with the following iPhones, but some features may require newer models:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 13
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XR
  • ‌iPhone‌ X
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus
  • ‌iPhone‌ SE (2nd generation and later)

watchOS 9 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer.

For a complete rundown of every new feature and change coming part of iOS 16, be sure to read our comprehensive roundup.

Related Forum: iOS 16

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Top Rated Comments

theapplehead Avatar
42 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/ios-16-to-launch-september-12/')


While iOS 16 will be available to iPhone users on Tuesday, September 13,

Article Link: iOS 16 to Launch on September 12, Featuring Redesigned Lock Screen, Unsend and Edit in iMessage, and More ('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/ios-16-to-launch-september-12/')
Will the release be on Monday or Tuesday? The title of the thread says Monday but in the text it says we won’t have access til Tuesday. Which is correct?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unfunfionn Avatar
42 months ago
The beta doesn’t feel ready. It’s very stable but it has halved the battery life on my 13 Pro Max and there are still quite a few annoying bugs, most notably issues with swiping notifications in the latest public beta. Swiping to open the camera from the Lock Screen is also very patchy in the latest update.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gstevie Avatar
42 months ago

GM coming today?
Likely the RC today.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SaguaroSeven Avatar
42 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/ios-16-to-launch-september-12/')

Will the release be on Monday or Tuesday? The title of the thread says Monday but in the text it says we won’t have access til Tuesday. Which is correct?
Well, they managed to correct the headline, but the story still says "Tuesday." This is what happens when you write your stories and headlines before the facts are in. Touché Apple!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SaguaroSeven Avatar
42 months ago
What's the feeling about installing iOS 16 next week? A little bit risky, or a lot risky?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
42 months ago
I can’t wait to try out the new Lock Screen.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)