Category: Beta

Live Activities in iOS 16.2 will have more frequent updates option. Sport scores are also enabled for Live Activities by Apple TV app.

Also, Sleep Lock Screen widget is now available in iOS 16.2. It is also mentioned that Medication widget soon to be available.

tvOS 16.2 brings Siri voice recognition to Apple TV.

References:

• Live Activities to Get More Frequent Updates Option in iOS 16.2
• iOS 16.2 Beta Reenables Live Sports Scores on Lock Screen and Dynamic Island via Apple TV App
• tvOS 16.2 Beta Enables Siri Voice Recognition on Apple TV for Personalized Usage
• iOS 16.2 Beta Adds New Sleep Widget to Lock Screen
• iOS 16.2 adds new Sleep widget for your Lock Screen, Medications widget also coming soon

Apple provides developers with access to first beta of iOS/iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, watchOS 9.2 and tvOS 16.2.

Beta brings Freeform app which Apple demoed on WWDC22. External display support is also now available for iPads with M1 and M2 chips.

Also new beta brings new Home app architecture aimed to improve stability of smart home management.

Also, iOS 16.2 will have an option to report erroneously triggered SOS calls to Apple. Possibly, this should minimize false calls in the future.

Notably, no new Xcode beta is published. Xcode 14.1 is still in RC2 stage.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS & iPadOS 16.2 Beta Release Notes
• macOS Ventura 13.1 Beta Release Notes
• watchOS 9.2 Beta Release Notes
• tvOS 16.2 Beta Release Notes

Apple Developer: Get ready with the latest beta releases

References:

• iPadOS 16.2 Beta Adds Support for Using Stage Manager With External Displays on M1 and M2 iPads
• iPadOS 16.2 beta adds Freeform collaboration app, Stage Manager external display support
• iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 Betas Introduce Freeform App
• iOS and iPadOS 16.2 Betas Overhaul Home App Architecture With Improved Performance
• iOS 16.2 beta introduces new architecture to the Home app for a more reliable experience
• iOS 16.2 lets users report to Apple when Emergency SOS is unintentionally triggered
• Hands-On With the New Freeform App in iPadOS 16.2
• Everything New in iPadOS and iOS 16.2 Beta 1: Freeform App, Stage Manager External Display Support, Accidental Emergency SOS Reports and More

Apple releases major updates to iPadOS and macOS. iPadOS 16.1 and macOS 13 Ventura bring several notable features:

• Stage Manager on both macOS and iPadOS (currently limited to several iPad models);
• Weather app for both platforms;
• Shared iCloud Photo Library.

iOS 16.1, watchOS 9.1 and tvOS 16.1 are also released today. HomePod software is also updated to 16.1 version.

These updates also bring:

• Support for Matter smart home standard;
• Live Activities on iPhone;
• Clean Energy Charging in select US states;
• New Siri UI and features for Apple TV;
• A lot of other updates across the systems.

Interestingly, Apple Card Savings Account was not introduced with iOS 16.1. It is now expected to be added later.

Also Apple releases Safari 16.1 for older macOS releases.

iOS 16.1 brings support for SKAdNetwork 4.0. Update provides more details on ad performance, better analysis of web ads leading to App Store pages.

Xcode 14.1 gets second Release Candidate so far.

Beta download: Applications

Release notes: Xcode 14.1 RC2 Release Notes

Apple Newsroom:

• iPadOS 16 is available today
• macOS Ventura is now available

Apple Developer:

• SKAdNetwork 4.0 now available

References:

• Apple Releases tvOS 16.1 With Siri Improvements, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Matter and More
• Apple Releases New HomePod 16.1 Software With Matter Support
• Apple Releases watchOS 9.1 With Battery Life Improvements and Matter Integration
• Apple Releases iOS 16.1 With Support for iCloud Shared Photo Library, Matter, Live Activities and More
• Apple Releases iPadOS 16 With Stage Manager, Weather App, Desktop Class Apps and iOS 16 Features
• Apple Releases macOS Ventura With FaceTime Handoff, Continuity Camera, Stage Manager, New Apps and More
• iOS 16.1 Includes Several Improvements to SKAdNetwork for Advertisers
• Apple Delays Daily Cash Savings Account for Apple Card Users
• macOS Ventura: 50 New Features and Changes Worth Checking Out
• Safari 16.1 Brings Support for Passkeys, Web Push, Apple Pencil Hover and More
• Apple Shares More Details on iOS 16.1 Clean Energy Charging Feature
• iOS 16.1 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.1
• Stage Manager on iPad: How to use the polarizing new feature in iPadOS 16 [Video]

During recent RC publication Apple also published iOS 15.7.1 RC keeping updating older iOS major release with bug fixes.

It turns out that this RC might break Face ID for some users. Affected devices include iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro. User might see "Face ID Is Not Available" error message.

Reference: iOS 15.7.1 Release Candidate Breaking Face ID for Some iPhone Users

Apple publishes RC 2 for macOS 13 Ventura. No notable changes or fixes are reported.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes: macOS Ventura 13 Release Notes

Apple invites developers to submit apps targeting upcoming releases. Xcode 14.1 RC is required to submit apps to App Store.

Public release for macOS 13 Ventura, iPadOS 16.1 and other platforms is planned for October 24.

Apple Developer:

• Mac App Store submissions now open for macOS Ventura
• App Store submissions now open for iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1
• App Store submissions now open for watchOS 9.1
• App Store submissions now open for tvOS 16.1

Release Candidates for iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1 (Apple finally uses this version for iPadOS pre-release version), watchOS 9.1, macOS 13 Ventura and tvOS 16.1 are available.

Notably, Xcode 14.1 Release Candidate is also published.

Apple announced that release will be available on October 24.

Also, Apple stops signing iOS 16.0.2 following iOS 16.0.3 release.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS 16.1 Release Notes
• iPadOS 16 Release Notes
• macOS Ventura 13 Release Notes
• watchOS 9.1 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.1 Release Notes
• Xcode 14.1 RC Release Notes

References:

• iOS 16.1 RC and iPadOS 16.1 RC now available ahead of public release next week
• Apple Seeds iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 Release Candidates to Developers
• Apple Seeds macOS 13 Ventura Release Candidate to Developers
• Apple Seeds watchOS 9.1 Release Candidate to Developers
• iOS 16.1 to Feature iCloud Shared Photo Library, Key Sharing in Wallet App, and Apple Card Savings Account
• Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.0.2 Following Release of iOS 16.0.3

Recently Apple published another round of beta versions. watchOS was missing from the pack, and now it is fixed.

Xcode still did not get new beta version.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes: watchOS 9.1 Beta 5 Release Notes

Reference: Apple Seeds Fifth Beta of watchOS 9.1 to Developers

Apple prepares for iPadOS 16 and macOS 13 Ventura releases. This time there is one round of beta versions. Interestingly, no new watchOS beta is available yet. Also, no new Xcode beta is there.

No notable changes are reported in new round of betas.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Releases notes:

• iOS 16.1 Beta 5 Release Notes
• iPadOS 16 Beta 12 Release Notes
• macOS 13 Ventura Beta 11 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.1 Beta 5 Release Notes

Apple publishes iOS 16.1 beta 4, iPadOS 16 beta 11, macOS 13 Ventura beta 10, watchOS 9.1 beta 4. No new Xcode beta is published yet.

iOS 16.1 brings support for Matter home device standard.

New iOS 16.1 beta also removes Adaptive Transparency for older AirPods Pro switch in settings, confirming that this was an error.

Beta download: Operating Systems

Release notes:

• iOS 16.1 Beta 4 Release Notes
• iPadOS 16 Beta 11 Release Notes
• macOS 13 Ventura Beta 10 Release Notes
• watchOS 9.1 Beta 4 Release Notes
• tvOS 16.1 Beta 4 Release Notes

References:

• Apple-backed Matter smart home standard officially launches as iOS 16.1 adds support
• Matter Smart Home Standard Officially Launches, Support Could Come in iOS 16.1
• Latest iOS 16.1 Beta Removes Adaptive Transparency Toggle for Original AirPods Pro, Confirming Bug
• iOS 16.1 beta 4 removes ‘Adaptive Transparency’ toggle for older AirPods Pro and Max
• Ventura adds dynamic wallpaper and new screensaver as macOS 13 readies for release