iOS 16.6 public beta arrives — here's what's new

iOS 16.6
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Apple's attention on the iPhone software front may soon be consumed by iOS 17, but that doesn't mean work has stopped completely on iOS 16. A beta of the latest iOS 16 version is now available to download to your iPhone if you're one of the participants in Apple's public beta program.

Specifically, Apple is giving beta testers access to iOS 16.6, which is arriving shortly after the full release of iOS 16.5 earlier this month. If you thought the amount of updates and enhancements in iOS 16.5 was fairly minimal, the pace of changes has slowed even further with iOS 16.6.

That's because it's been nearly a year since Apple first previewed the iOS 16 update and nine months since the initial release became available to the wider public. Since then, Apple has released five major updates to its iPhone software, adding everything from Live Activities in iOS 16.1 to new emojis in iOS 16.4. The most recent update, iOS 16.5, brought a new My Sports tab to the built-in News app, but that was about it in terms of changes.

Since we're only up to the first beta of iOS 16.6, we wouldn't expect a full release until sometime later on in June. That means when WWDC 2023 gets underway on June 5, we'll likely get an iOS 17 preview while iOS 16.6 remains in beta. iOS 17 figures to bring much more substantive changes, with rumors suggesting Apple will add active widgets as well as major updates to the Wallet and Health apps among other possible changes.

Until that iOS 17 preview shows up next month, though, here's what you need to know about iOS 16.6.

How can I download the iOS 16.6 beta?

We've got full instructions on how to download the iOS 16 public beta, but in a nutshell, you need to first register your device with Apple's public beta program. On your iPhone, go to the Apple Beta Software Program page, and follow the on-screen instructions for signing up.

Once you're participating in the program — or you're already signed up — you can find iOS beta downloads by going to the Settings app, selecting General and tapping Software Update. If a beta's waiting for you, tap download and install and follow all on-screen instructions to get the app on your phone. Make sure you backup your iPhone first, though.

What phones run iOS 16.6?

The same phones that have supported iOS 16 all along continue to run this update. That means any iPhone 8 or older. Even though iOS 16.6 is fairly polished, we recommend that you only install a beta software on a backup iPhone and not your everyday device.

What's new in the iOS 16.6 public beta?

Right now, there only appears to be one addition from the iOS 16.6 beta, and it may not even be active at this point.

iMessage Contact Key Verification: Apple first announced plans to add security key support for Apple ID and iCloud accounts late last year, delivering that feature via the iOS 16.3 update in early 2023. Now it's extending the capability to iMessage, which should allow you to verify that the person you're texting with is who they say they are.

Image showing iPhone with iMessage app open

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Basically, when you've enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification, you can chat with people who've also enabled the feature and get alerts should Apple's cloud servers get breached. As you may have gathered, this feature isn't for everyone — Apple's adding it for people who typically find themselves facing unusual digital threats. That means journalists, human rights workers and government officials who may be the target of cyberattacks.

Reports indicated that iMessage Contact Key Verification appeared in the developer beta of iOS 16.6 that became available a few days before the public beta. Those same reports indicated that the feature appears to be a work in progress as activating it didn't seem to do anything. Personally, I haven't spotted any indication of iMessage Contact Key Verification in the Messages section of the Settings app, but I also don't have Security Keys enabled for my phone.

iOS 16.6 public beta outlook

With the iOS 16.6 public beta now in the hands of both developers and the public, we should hear more reports about additions and fixes in the new software. However, don't expect a big laundry list of enhancements. iOS 16 is fairly complete at this point, as Apple's in the process of shifting gears toward iOS 17, which will arrive as a full release later this year.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Philip Michaels

Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

Read more
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 — all the rumors so far
iOS 18 home screen customization features
iOS 18: The biggest new features available on your iPhone
iOS 18.4 logo on an iPhone
iOS 18.4 public beta 2 is here — all the new features to try on your iPhone
iOS 18 Notes
iOS 18.3 beta just arrived — here's what's changed
iOS 18 logo on an iPhone 15 Pro
iOS 18.4 beta is live — here’s all the new features for your iPhone
Software Update menu on iPhone showing iOS 18.2 ready to download
How to download iOS 18.2 and try the new Apple Intelligence features
Latest in iPhones
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 — all the rumors so far
3D printed models of alleged iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro design
iPhone 17 Air dummy model shows off Apple’s big design change
iPhone 16 Pro shown held in hand
iOS 19 may bring Apple Intelligence powers to more iPhone apps — but without any big new features
A render of the iPhone 17 Pro Max
iPhone 17 Pro Max — this new rumor could push people towards iPhone 17 Air
Apple Intelligence logo on iPhone
Apple confirms Siri 2.0 is delayed — 'it’s going to take us longer than we thought'
iPhone 17 Pro render
iPhone 17 Pro Max and iPhone 17 Air designs just teased in new video — here's your first look
Latest in News
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
iOS 19 — all the rumors so far
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Tuesday, March 11 (#639)
An image of a CAPTCHA
Hackers are using reCAPTCHA to trick users into infecting their own PCs with malware — how to stay safe
Gmail logo on iPhone
Gmail just got a huge AI upgrade that will save you a ton of time
Nina Oyama and Kate Box in Deadloch
One of my favorite shows on Prime Video has been totally overlooked — and it's got 100% on Rotten Tomatoes
Xbox handheld
Xbox handheld reportedly arriving this year, new PC-like console in 2027