iOS 16.6 Beta Coming Soon for iPhones Ahead of iOS 17 at WWDC

Apple has ramped up internal testing of iOS 16.6 over the past week, according to a reliable source of information. This suggests the first beta version of the update will be seeded to developers and public beta testers in the coming days.

iOS 16
Apple confirmed that iOS 16.5 will be released to the public this week, so the first iOS 16.6 beta will likely be made available either later this week or next week. Apple has been internally testing iOS 16.6 since at least early April, and it will likely be one of the final updates in the iOS 16 software cycle, as Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 at WWDC next month and shift its development efforts towards that update.

iOS 16.6 will likely be a smaller update given that iOS 17 is on the horizon, but it remains to be seen which new features, changes, and bug fixes will be included. Apple previously announced that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available in 2023, but it is unclear exactly when the optional security setting will launch.

iOS 16.6 should be released to the public in the weeks after WWDC, which begins June 5. There is no sign of Apple testing iOS 16.7 yet, but it's still early.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

iOS 18 Coming Later This Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday September 3, 2024 12:07 pm PDT by
iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update will finally be released for all compatible iPhones soon. Apple should reveal iOS 18's exact release date during its September 9 event, with the most likely possibility being Monday, September 16. Below, we have highlighted eight key new features included in iOS 18. Note that Apple Intelligence is not coming...
iPhone 16 Side New Action Button Emphasis Bump

iPhone 16 Apple Silicone Cases Have No Cutout for New Capture Button

Wednesday September 4, 2024 3:19 am PDT by
Apple is introducing a new camera-based "Capture" button on at least some iPhone 16 models this year, and a new rumor claims that Apple's own silicone cases will have a design that is specially made so as not to impede the use of the capacitive button's multiple functions. Several rumors have suggested that the iPhone 16 models are going to have an all-new button that's designed to make it...
iOS 18 CarPlay Feature

iOS 18 Adds These 6 New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday September 3, 2024 12:59 pm PDT by
Apple did not mention CarPlay when it unveiled iOS 18 in June, but the update includes a handful of new features for the in-car iPhone system. iOS 18 includes some changes to the Messages app, Settings app, and Siri on CarPlay. The update should be widely released later in September. Below, we recap CarPlay's key new features on iOS 18. 1. Contact Photos in Messages App iOS 18 adds...
sonny iphone 16 pro colors

New iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Colors Revealed Ahead of Apple Event

Friday September 6, 2024 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is "shaking up its color palette" for its iPhone 16 lineup this year, according to well-connected Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman. Early iPhone 16 Pro dummy models via Sonny Dickson According to Gurman, the iPhone 16 Pro models will come in a Gold Titanium to replace Blue Titanium, while the Black, White, and Natural Titanium options that debuted with the iPhone 15 Pro will remain...
iPhone 16 Pro Mock Article

iPhone 16 Launch Month Is Here: Everything We Know

Sunday September 1, 2024 4:30 am PDT by
Apple has announced that on Monday, September 9 it will hold its annual fall event, which means we are just days away from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. ...
its glowtime event youtube

Report Details Last-Minute Apple Event Rumors About New iPhones, Apple Watches, and AirPods

Friday September 6, 2024 4:40 am PDT by
Bloomberg's Mark Gurman today shared his final expectations for Apple's "It's Glowtime" event, providing some new tidbits and clarifications about the new devices set to be announced on Monday. iPhone 16 Pro Along with larger 6.3- and 6.9-inch display sizes, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will have bezels that are "now about a third slimmer" for a "sleeker overall look." The...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

When to Expect iOS 18 on Your iPhone as Beta Testing Wraps Up

Wednesday September 4, 2024 10:50 am PDT by
iOS 18 has been in beta testing for nearly three months, and the software update should finally be widely released later this month. Below, we outline when to expect iOS 18 to be available on all compatible iPhones. iOS 18: Beta Testing Wraps Up In his Power On newsletter last weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said iOS 18 beta 8 will likely be the final developer beta version for the...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
17 months ago
The last release prior to iOS 17 will be iOS 16.9.9
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
17 months ago
Can't believe we are up to a final release of iOS 16. Bittersweet!

I have a feeling it's going to be dropped Tomorrow or Wednesday!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frumpywumpy Avatar
17 months ago
yet again, https://www.thinkybits.com/blog/iOS-versions/ is useful. @Lounge vibes 05 has it right, a ##.6 and ##.7 have happened since 13.



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
17 months ago
Yeah, just like every other year.
16.6 in June or July, followed by 16.7 in September alongside 17.0
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ss2cire Avatar
17 months ago

We are ready for something new, the Homescreen is old enough to drive, will be going to college soon, and is still wearing a onesie!!
but onesies are so comfortable....

========

An updated Homescreen would be nice. A little more customization perhaps? But I understand the uniformity and consistency. Change for the sake of change isn't that great. Hopefully any changes will have nice usability enhancements we didnt know we needed/wanted.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dfwiddoc Avatar
17 months ago
In less than 2 hours, already 25 predictably cynical, smarmy comments dissing Apple for having the gall to actually release another beta cycle—how inept of them, making yet another effort to improve their software in anticipation of an official release!

Honestly I don’t know if the usual hecklers on here actually own Apple products and are just Android trolls, if they just come on here to be smart asses, or if they indeed own iPhones and just don’t get how beta cycles work (hint: they’re supposed to be buggy, and no one is forcing you to download pre-release software!).

No matter the reason, this site’s server must be stuffed to the gills with these tedious complaints by now, and they’re so useful to those of us who come here to look for new features spotted in these betas. Ya’ll just keep getting wittier, keep it up!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)