Apple releases iOS 16.6 beta 5 to builders

A few weeks after seeding the most recent beta, iOS 16.6 beta 5 is now accessible to builders. This new testing model comes per week after Apple seeded iOS 17 beta 3, and it follows the testing cycle of the upcoming working system for iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and newer.

In the meanwhile, there are not any seen adjustments on iOS 16.6 beta. After a small iOS 16.5 replace, Apple continues to be sharpening its software program as the corporate prepares iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, watchOS 10, and macOS Sonoma for a fall launch.

An early iOS 16.6 beta construct added references for Contact Key Verification, in response to iOS developer Steve Moser.

Message Contact Key Verification is a characteristic introduced by the corporate on the finish of 2022. Whereas Apple has already rolled out Safety Keys for Apple ID and Superior Information Safety for iCloud through the iOS 16 cycle, the agency nonetheless needed to launch that different operate.

For these unaware, iMessage Contact Key Verification lets customers confirm if they’re speaking solely with whom they intend. That is particularly useful for journalists, human rights activists, and authorities members.

Apple says that “conversations between customers who’ve enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification obtain automated alerts if an exceptionally superior adversary, comparable to a state-sponsored attacker, had been ever to succeed breaching cloud servers and inserting their very own machine to snoop on these encrypted communications. And for even larger safety, iMessage Contact Key Verification customers can evaluate a Contact Verification Code in individual, on FaceTime, or by means of one other safe name.”

As of now, it’s unclear if iOS 16.6 will convey this characteristic, however Apple has already began testing it. As well as, Steve Moser says Apple continues to work on Sports activities associated options within the TV app, though he couldn’t disclose what’s new.

Apart from iOS 16.6, Apple can also be beta testing iPadOS 16.6, watchOS 9.6, macOS 13.5, and tvOS 16.6. BGR will let all through this beta cycle what’s new.