Apple Preparing iOS 16.5.1 Update for iPhone Following iOS 17 Beta - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Preparing iOS 16.5.1 Update for iPhone Following iOS 17 Beta

Apple appears to be preparing an iOS 16.5.1 update for the iPhone, based on evidence of the software in our website's analytics logs last week. It's unclear when the update will be released, but it will likely be available either this week or next week.

iOS 16
Minor updates like iOS 16.5.1 are typically focused on bug fixes, stability improvements, and security patches, rather than new features. Apple's Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter does not work properly with iPhones running iOS 16.5, but the issue was resolved in the iOS 16.6 beta last month, so a fix is likely to be included in iOS 16.5.1 as well.

Apple released the first beta of iOS 17 at WWDC last week. The update will be publicly released later this year for the iPhone XS and newer, and has many new features, including a StandBy mode while an iPhone is charging in a landscape position, interactive Home Screen widgets, improved autocorrect, a Journal app, and more. For the first time, developer betas are available without a $99/year Apple Developer program membership.

Earlier this month, Apple revealed that 81% of all active iPhones were running iOS 16, but that percentage has surely declined following the iOS 17 beta. Apple will likely release iOS 17 in September, around the time that iPhone 15 models launch.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

Four iPhone 18 Pro Colors Mock Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching in September With These 10 New Features

Monday April 20, 2026 7:13 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not launching until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component will be moved under the...
Sad iPhone 18 Feature

Leaker: Apple to Downgrade iPhone 18 in Two Ways

Wednesday April 22, 2026 8:02 am PDT by
Following the emergence of a rumor that Apple is planning to downgrade the iPhone 18 to cut costs, further detail has emerged suggesting that display and chip specifications will see downgrades. Earlier this week, the leaker known as "Fixed Focus Digital" said that the iPhone 18 features "certain manufacturing downgrades" that bring it more into line with the low-cost iPhone 18e model. The...
Tim Cook Rainbow

Apple CEO Tim Cook Stepping Down, John Ternus Taking Over

Monday April 20, 2026 1:33 pm PDT by
Apple CEO Tim Cook is stepping down as Apple's chief executive officer, and hardware engineering chief John Ternus is set to take over, Apple announced today. Cook will continue on as Apple CEO through the summer, with Ternus set to join Apple's Board of Directors and take over as CEO on September 1, 2026. Cook is going to transition to executive chairman, and he will "assist with certain...

Top Rated Comments

37 months ago



Earlier this month, Apple revealed that 81% of all active iPhones were running iOS 16 ('https://www.macrumors.com/2023/06/01/apple-shares-ios-16-adoption-statistics/'), but that percentage has surely declined following the iOS 17 beta.
It absolutely has not.
There are still more people buying new iOS 16 running phones, or updating their old phones from older versions to 16, then there are that will run the beta.
Most people don't even actively update their phones, they're not going to run a beta. Most people just wait for the phone to update itself.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BorisDG Avatar
37 months ago
Let's hope it's today or tomorrow.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cruncher Avatar
37 months ago
I am quite happy with iOS 16.5 and my iPhone 14 Pro Max. Also Battery Life is finally more than ok. Getting at around 9-10h SOT. I hope 16.5.1 fixes the remaining bugs and that`s it. I still don`t know what iOS 16.6 is for expect iMessage encrypting thin or whatever. Here in Europe no one cares about iMessage.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
37 months ago
I can't wait to benefit from the latest bug fixes and performance improvements at the same time as everyone else on every supported Apple device. Only Apple can do this.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
winxmac Avatar
37 months ago
Waiting for iOS 16.9/iPadOS 16.9
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Feek Avatar
37 months ago
As long as mobile Safari is snappier, I'll be happy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)