Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming two weeks after the release of the second betas.

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 Developer Beta. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta.

iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 lay the groundwork for iMessage Contact Key Verification. It is meant to let Apple device owners verify that they are messaging with the people they intend to message rather than a malicious entity that has intercepted a message or is eavesdropping on a conversation.

The feature is designed for Apple users who are facing “extraordinary digital threats.” Apple intends for iMessage Contact Key Verification to be used by journalists, human rights activists, government officials, and others who are in danger of malicious digital attacks from state-sponsored attackers or other malicious actors.

Apple said that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available on the iPhone and other Apple devices at some point in 2023, and it is one of the last features we are expecting to see in iOS 16. In the first two betas, hints of iMessage Contact Key were available, but the option was not fully enabled.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
maxresdefault

The MacRumors Show: Apple's Big Plans for iPad Mini 8

Friday November 28, 2025 8:39 am PST by
On this week's episode of The MacRumors Show, we talk through the latest rumors about Apple's upcoming iPad mini 8. Subscribe to The MacRumors Show YouTube channel for more videos The next-generation version of the iPad mini is expected to 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...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...

Top Rated Comments

xpxp2002 Avatar
32 months ago

Wait - you read another Mac-related site besides MacRumors? How could you? ?
I stopped going there after that awful site redesign a couple months ago. It's just a pain to read and navigate. The dark/light background switch still doesn't even work on iOS/iPadOS Safari.

I can get the same news here and a better forum format on a website that's easier to read and actually works.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazyrighteye Avatar
32 months ago

Not seeing it at all. How can the build be 20G5047d when beta 2 was 20G5037d?
That build was mentioned on 9to5mac ('https://9to5mac.com/2023/06/15/apple-releases-ios-16-6-beta-3/').
Wait - you read another Mac-related site besides MacRumors? How could you? ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jjudson Avatar
32 months ago
All I care about is: Does it finally get rid of this monstrosity???



Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Miicat_47 Avatar
32 months ago

I stopped going there after that awful site redesign a couple months ago. It's just a pain to read and navigate. The dark/light background switch still doesn't even work on iOS/iPadOS Safari.

I can get the same news here and a better forum format on a website that's easier to read and actually works.
Same for me, I still sometimes check their site, if they have something exclusive, but nothing more
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
32 months ago

Wait - you read another Mac-related site besides MacRumors? How could you? ?
I just now see Apple site updated and it shows that its is available at 11:43 AM PST. Wow they are slow today.

* iOS 16.6 beta 3 (20G5047d) - June 15, 2023
* iPadOS 16.6 beta 3 (20G5047d) - June 15, 2023
* macOS 13.5 beta 3 (22G5048d) - June 15, 2023
* watchOS 9.6 beta 3 (20U5548c) - June 15, 2023
* tvOS 16.6 beta 3 (20M5548b) = June 15, 2023
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jdavid_rp Avatar
32 months ago

I stopped going there after that awful site redesign a couple months ago. It's just a pain to read and navigate. The dark/light background switch still doesn't even work on iOS/iPadOS Safari.

I can get the same news here and a better forum format on a website that's easier to read and actually works.
Same, I have some issues by how minimal the interface is and the similarity between news and ads
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)