Apple Seeds Fifth Betas of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

Apple today seeded the fifth 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 fourth 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 may lay the groundwork for iMessage Contact Key Verification. The feature 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.

In the first beta, hints of iMessage Contact Key were available, but the option was not fully enabled and the references have since been removed, so it remains unclear if this is something we can expect to see in iOS 16.6.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
tvOS 18 Feature

Apple Releases tvOS 18.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.5, the latest version of the tvOS operating system. tvOS 18.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.5 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

WSJ: Apple Weighing Price Hikes for iPhone 17 Lineup Without Blaming Tariffs

Monday May 12, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming iPhone 17 models set to release this fall, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The company reportedly aims to pair the potential price hikes with new features and design changes to justify the increased cost to consumers, rather than attributing them to U.S. tariffs on goods from China. The...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Expected This Week With These New Features

Monday May 12, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 18.5 to the general public this week. While the software update is relatively minor, it still includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we recap everything new in iOS 18.5. Pride Wallpaper Apple recently announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face,...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.5, the fifth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched last September. macOS Sequoia 15.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.4. Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia 15.5‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run ...
Mayday Calendar

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Friday May 9, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

20th Anniversary iPhone Will Be Mostly Glass With All-Screen Design

Monday May 12, 2025 2:52 am PDT by
Apple will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone X in 2027 by launching a mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said the all-screen device will arrive later in 2027, suggesting a fall release. The model will be preceded by Apple's first foldable iPhone, claims the reporter....

Top Rated Comments

Realityck Avatar
24 months ago
To devs today, still some issues as no RC yet

* iOS 16.6 beta 5 (20G5070a) - July 10, 2023
* iPadOS 16.6 beta 5 (20G5070a) - July 10, 2023
* macOS 13.5 beta 5 (22G5072a) - July 10, 2023
* watchOS 9.6 beta 5 (20U5570a) - July 10, 2023
* tvOS 16.6 beta 5 (20M5571a) - July 10, 2023
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hovscorpion12 Avatar
24 months ago
Thank you so much @Realityck!!

Looks like GMs/final builds could some soon. I suspect public release end of July
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Scott H Avatar
24 months ago
16.6 has been working great!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
24 months ago
This is a long beta period for a minor update especially since iOS 17 is in beta too. I wonder what they are changing that requires so much testing.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ilde Avatar
24 months ago
Hi,

There is also a security update to iOS 16.5.1

Attachment Image
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unregistered 4U Avatar
24 months ago
At some point in the future, there will be those that were unaware that Public Betas would normally come out days or weeks after the developer beta. To those folks, this maddening 3 hour wait will be inexcusable and they’ll be calling for the head of Tim Apple. :)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)