Apple Now Testing iOS 16.6 for iPhone Ahead of iOS 17 at WWDC - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Now Testing iOS 16.6 for iPhone Ahead of iOS 17 at WWDC

Apple has started testing iOS 16.6 internally, according to our website's analytics logs, which have proven to be a reliable indicator of upcoming software updates. iOS 16.6 will likely be one of the last updates in the iOS 16 software cycle.

iOS 16
It's still too early to know when the first beta of iOS 16.6 will be released, but the first betas of iOS 13.6, iOS 14.6, and iOS 15.6 were all made available to developers prior to WWDC over the last three years. WWDC is scheduled for June 5 through June 9 this year and is where Apple will announce iOS 17 and other new software.

iOS 16.6 will likely be a smaller update given that iOS 17 is on the horizon. With the Apple Card's savings account expected to launch next week, iMessage Contact Key Verification will be one of the only previously-announced iOS features that has yet to launch, but it is unclear exactly when the optional security setting will launch.

In the meantime, iOS 16.5 remains in beta testing. So far, only two notable changes have been discovered in the update, including the addition of a Sports tab in the Apple News app and the ability to start a screen recording with Siri.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

imac video apple feature

Apple Released Two New Accessories This Month

Friday May 22, 2026 12:24 pm PDT by
May has been a quiet stretch in terms of new Apple products, but the company did release two accessories on its online store this month. First up was a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. U.S. pricing is set at $49. The band is part of Apple's 2026 Pride Collection, which also includes a new Pride...
Apple Event Logo

Apple to Release These 15 New Products Later This Year

Friday May 22, 2026 6:36 am PDT by
April and May have been relatively slow months for Apple this year, but there is a lot to look forward to heading into WWDC 2026 and beyond. Apple is expected to release at least 15 more products later this year, with some of them held up until the more personalized version of Siri launches. Beyond the usual annual updates to iPhones and Apple Watches in September, Apple's all-new smart...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple Says CarPlay Ultra is Coming to These Vehicle Brands

Thursday May 21, 2026 11:53 am PDT by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly a year later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. CarPlay Ultra...

Top Rated Comments

madmin Avatar
41 months ago
The Bugfest (to be continued)
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
41 months ago

The Bugfest (to be continued)
It's here and it exists. It's the real deal! 🫨🫨


[HR][/HR]


Attachment Image

Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sw1tcher Avatar
41 months ago

Crazy. I think this is the highest number Apple has gone. Correct me if I'm wrong.
You're wrong :p

iOS 13 hit 13.7 ('https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-13_7-release-notes'). iOS 14 went up to 14.8.1 ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT212868'). iOS 15 is at 15.7.5 ('https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213723')

As buggy as iOS 16 is, I'm expecting at least a 16.7
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
41 months ago
Well now that you know there will be a 16.6 beta cycle after 16.5 wraps early May. You should be relieved. :D
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrRom92 Avatar
41 months ago
I’ll wait for version 16.9

Nice.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
podycust Avatar
41 months ago
Now to set my browsers user agent to 16.8 then visit Mac rumours to confirm testing of 16.8 😜😂😂
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)