iOS 16.6 Beta Coming Soon for iPhones Ahead of iOS 17 at WWDC

Apple has ramped up internal testing of iOS 16.6 over the past week, according to a reliable source of information. This suggests the first beta version of the update will be seeded to developers and public beta testers in the coming days.

iOS 16
Apple confirmed that iOS 16.5 will be released to the public this week, so the first iOS 16.6 beta will likely be made available either later this week or next week. Apple has been internally testing iOS 16.6 since at least early April, and it will likely be one of the final updates in the iOS 16 software cycle, as Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 at WWDC next month and shift its development efforts towards that update.

iOS 16.6 will likely be a smaller update given that iOS 17 is on the horizon, but it remains to be seen which new features, changes, and bug fixes will be included. Apple previously announced that iMessage Contact Key Verification would be available in 2023, but it is unclear exactly when the optional security setting will launch.

iOS 16.6 should be released to the public in the weeks after WWDC, which begins June 5. There is no sign of Apple testing iOS 16.7 yet, but it's still early.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
Apple TV Plus Feature 2 Magenta and Blue

Apple TV+ Available at Significantly Lower Price Until Next Week

Friday April 18, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
Apple TV+ is currently available at a much lower price than usual, but time is running out if you want to take advantage of the offer. In the U.S., new and qualified returning customers can subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month, for three months. Afterwards, regular pricing of $9.99 per month applies. The offer is available in the Apple TV app, and at tv.apple.com, through April...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
25 months ago
The last release prior to iOS 17 will be iOS 16.9.9
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
25 months ago
Can't believe we are up to a final release of iOS 16. Bittersweet!

I have a feeling it's going to be dropped Tomorrow or Wednesday!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
frumpywumpy Avatar
25 months ago
yet again, https://www.thinkybits.com/blog/iOS-versions/ is useful. @Lounge vibes 05 has it right, a ##.6 and ##.7 have happened since 13.



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lounge vibes 05 Avatar
25 months ago
Yeah, just like every other year.
16.6 in June or July, followed by 16.7 in September alongside 17.0
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ss2cire Avatar
25 months ago

We are ready for something new, the Homescreen is old enough to drive, will be going to college soon, and is still wearing a onesie!!
but onesies are so comfortable....

========

An updated Homescreen would be nice. A little more customization perhaps? But I understand the uniformity and consistency. Change for the sake of change isn't that great. Hopefully any changes will have nice usability enhancements we didnt know we needed/wanted.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dfwiddoc Avatar
25 months ago
In less than 2 hours, already 25 predictably cynical, smarmy comments dissing Apple for having the gall to actually release another beta cycle—how inept of them, making yet another effort to improve their software in anticipation of an official release!

Honestly I don’t know if the usual hecklers on here actually own Apple products and are just Android trolls, if they just come on here to be smart asses, or if they indeed own iPhones and just don’t get how beta cycles work (hint: they’re supposed to be buggy, and no one is forcing you to download pre-release software!).

No matter the reason, this site’s server must be stuffed to the gills with these tedious complaints by now, and they’re so useful to those of us who come here to look for new features spotted in these betas. Ya’ll just keep getting wittier, keep it up!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)