Apple has started rolling iOS 16 to public beta testers. After releasing the iPhone operating system to developers, the latest stage of the rollout will help Apple learn more about iOS 16 as it will get feedback from regular beta testers. Once it is over, the company will start rolling out the OS to regular users in October or November.
Alongside iOS 16 public beta 1, Apple is also rolling out iPadOS 16 to testers. Both operating systems were unveiled at the Apple WWDC 2022 last month.
It means anyone with a compatible device can test the public beta version if they have signed up for Apple’s beta testing programme. The iOS 16 public beta is available to users with iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later). The stable version of iOS 16 will also come with iPhone 14 series out-of-the-box.
In terms of features, users can check out the refreshed lockscreen. It will let users add text, customise the clock design, and view notifications by scrolling up from the bottom. Users will also be able to swipe between multiple wallpapers. Apart from that, the Messages app will let users edit and delete messages as well as mark messages unread.
In terms of security, Apple recently unveiled a Lockdown Mode to prevent the phone from getting hacked by state-used malware like Pegasus and Hermit. Apple is also replacing passwords with Passkeys, and Safari now supports Shared Tab Groups for collaborating.
In the Mail app, you can schedule emails, cancel sending, and receive follow-up reminders, and the Maps app supports multi-stop routing.
Regular users planning to sign up for the beta version of iOS 16 must remember that the OS in the initial phase is buggy and at times can even damage the phone. If you’re keen on testing the version, ensure you backup all the data. Otherwise, we’d advise you to wait for a few months till the update is available to all users.