Apple Seeds iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 Release Candidates to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the fourth betas. The release candidates represent the final version of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 that will be provided to the public.

iOS 16
Registered developers can opt in to the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to Software Update, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option and toggling on the iOS 16/iPadOS 16 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 16.5 adds a Sports tab in the Apple News app, making it easier to access sports-focused content. You can choose to follow your favorite teams to get updates on a regular basis. Apple's full release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

- A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture
- Sports tab in Apple News gives easy access to stories, scores, standings, and more, for the teams and leagues you follow
- My Sports score and schedule cards in Apple News take you directly to game pages where you can find additional details about specific games
- Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive
- Addresses an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content
- Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Apple says that iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 will be released next week.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

Apple Shopping Event 2025

Apple Announces 2025 Black Friday Event, Here's What You Can Get

Thursday November 20, 2025 6:28 am PST by
Apple's annual four-day Black Friday through Cyber Monday shopping event is returning on Friday, November 28 through Monday, December 1 in many countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Thailand, and others. During the shopping event, customers can get an Apple gift card with...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Wednesday November 19, 2025 4:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Adds These New Features to Your iPhone

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:50 am PST by
iOS 26.2 is currently in beta testing. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics for Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date. Keep reading...
hikawa phone grip stand apple%402x

Apple Launches Second Limited-Edition iPhone Accessory in a Month

Friday November 21, 2025 3:53 am PST by
Apple has begun selling the Hikawa Phone Grip and Stand, a new limited-edition iPhone accessory designed with accessibility in mind. Designed by LA-based Bailey Hikawa to celebrate the 40th anniversary of accessibility at Apple, the grip uses magnets to securely snap onto any iPhone with MagSafe. Apple says it can be removed with ease, and doubles as a stand with two different viewing...
ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

iPad Mini 8: Four Major New Features to Expect

Wednesday November 19, 2025 7:50 am PST by
Apple's eighth-generation iPad mini is highly likely to arrive next year, offering a significant refresh of the device with at least four major new features. OLED Display The next-generation version of the iPad mini could feature an OLED display, as part of Apple's plan to expand the display technology across many more of its devices. Apple's first OLED device was the Apple Watch in 2015, ...
applecare apple care banner

Apple Brings New AppleCare+ Options to India

Tuesday November 18, 2025 8:42 am PST by
Apple today announced an expansion of AppleCare+ coverage in India, with new options for monthly and annual plans, and the addition of Theft and Loss for iPhone for the first time. Options for monthly and annual AppleCare+ plans in India provide more choice and flexibility, allowing users to keep coverage for as long as they require. Apple's vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product...
watchos 26 workout app

Apple Watch Users Claim Workout App Is Now Worse in Every Way

Thursday November 20, 2025 7:01 am PST by
Apple Watch owners have been voicing their frustration online over changes to the Workout app that Apple introduced in watchOS 26, with many finding the redesigned interface makes starting exercises difficult and exasperating. When Apple launched watchOS 26 in September, the Workout app went from large, easily tapped workout tiles to a scrolling, corner-button interface. Instead of tapping a ...
ipad black friday 2025

The Best Early Black Friday iPad Deals

Thursday November 20, 2025 10:20 am PST by
Black Friday is just over a week away, and iPad deals have finally started to flood in at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. Below we're tracking discounts on every current generation iPad, including lowest-ever prices on M3 iPad Air and M5 iPad Pro, plus steep markdowns on iPad and iPad mini. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a ...
apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Two More U.S. States Commit to Offering iPhone Driver's Licenses in Apple Wallet App

Thursday November 20, 2025 8:21 am PST by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Earlier this week, Illinois became the 13th state in the U.S. to offer the feature. Subsequently, we shared a list of additional states that are committed...
android iphone airdrop quickshare

iPhone Users Can Now AirDrop Files to Android Devices

Thursday November 20, 2025 9:47 am PST by
Google today announced a new cross-platform feature that allows for file sharing between iPhone and Android users. With AirDrop on the iPhone and QuickShare on Pixel 10 devices, there is a new file transfer function available. The file sharing option works on Apple devices that include iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold....

Top Rated Comments

redbeard331 Avatar
33 months ago
When we saw the public beta drop just now this was the scene from our main room.

Now we look forward to 16.6!!?



Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
33 months ago
Released today to devs and PB testers. I am installing both iOS 16.5 RC and iPadOS 16.5 RC.

* iOS 16.5 RC (20F65) - May 9, 2023
* iPadOS 16.5 RC (20F65) - May 9, 2023
* macOS 13.4 RC (22F62) - May 9, 2023
* watchOS 9.5 RC (20T562) - May 9, 2023
* tvOS 16.5 RC (20L562) - May 9, 2023
* iOS 15.7.6 RC (19H349) - May 9, 2023
* iPadOS 15.7.6 RC (19H349) - May 9, 2023
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThomasJL Avatar
33 months ago

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

- A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the Lock Screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture
Tim Cook prioritizes money and politics over products.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
33 months ago

I do not have that problem but then your use shows about 8 hours minimum usage per day with average 5 hours screen on, and yeah its eating your battery.

Mine is like this I am using about a quarter of the time (hours you are using looks like you are using it all day at average of 8 hours what are you doing? I am using 2 hours average screen and 25 percent of battery in given day

My worse case busy day is around 4 hours and I am at 50 percent so that shows I would likely be at a similar level if used a full 8 hours each day and doubled my screen time.

Bottom line is that I guess my use is significantly less than yours both overall and screen time, but those are my habits daily for many years of iphone use.

I use my ipad at home more since I like the screen real estate and I use over 7 hours per day (3 at night streaming shows) but I am mostly on power all the time.

In morning on table I can use 50 percent power in 4 hours of constant use (videos, facebook, macrumors and other surfing, ect) but it’s an old 2018 gen 3 iPad Pro. Ipad 10 day use is the second image below.

And then below that in third image is the daily use in which you can see in 3 hours at kitchen table I used over 50 percent of battery definately this old beast of an ipad would not make a day like what you are seeing but also its got an old battery that is 5 years old.

@TheYayAreaLiving ?️ so in summary the bottom line is you are using 8 hours a day with 5 hours average screen on. I am using around 2 hours a day so half the screen time and a quarter of the usage time I guess. But as the details I describe I use ipad more during day and it is a old 4 year old 12.9 iPad Pro it gets 3 hours in on 50 percent of battery so would give me max of 6 hours before charging. You are obviously on phone far more for your daily usage than I and I probably would find more similar results as yours. Wonder if the recent iphones ever did better than this with such usage patterns that you vs I make of the iphones???












@rjjacobson Thank you for a thorough analysis. Appreciate your input.

From what I gathered.. You need to use your iPhone more.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fbr$ Avatar
33 months ago

The update also includes a new Siri option ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/03/28/ios-16-5-siri-screen-recording/') for starting a screen recording with a voice command
In my iPad and my iPhone I go to Control Center, then long press the Screen Recording button, then I see Microphone is turned off, so I turn the microphone on.

A few days later I go there and check, the Screen Recording's Microphone is turned off again. It's annoying.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
33 months ago
Good stuff! Really hoping and praying the battery life has been fixed and improved. I’m getting 5 hours of battery life on my iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB. 0-100% single charge. This is not acceptable!

Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)