The next big software update for iPhone, iOS 16.5, is already in the works. It began beta testing just one day after the stable release of iOS 16.4 — and anyone can jump on board to try out all the new features before everyone else.
We expect iOS 16.5 to drop sometime in April or May, but we'll have a better idea as the beta period progresses. The stable release will be getting close to Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) starting June 5, where Apple will announce iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and other projects, including the much-awaited xrOS software for the rumored Apple VR/AR headset coming soon.
So far, iOS 16.5 is not the juggernaut that iOS 16.4 was, which was packed with over 50 new features and changes, but we expect to see more revealed with each new beta update. All the known features and changes coming to iOS 16.5 are listed below. If you don't mind more bugs than usual, you can even install the iOS 16.5 beta and try all these updates out yourself.
1. New Sports Tab in Apple News
There's now a dedicated Sports tab in the Apple News app, making it much easier to access the My Sports section. Before, you would have to find the My Sports group buried in the "Today" tab or tap on it from the "Following" tab.
- More Info: Big Changes Are Coming to Apple News on iOS 16.5
2. Merged Search and Following Tabs in Apple News
To make room for the new Sports tab in Apple News, the Search tab has been merged into the Following tab, and the new icon is a hybrid version of both functions (left image below). This is similar to how it was before Search got its own tab on iOS 14.5 (right image below), just with a new icon.
3. Persistent Navigation Bar in Apple News
Another significant change in Apple News makes the bottom navigation bar persistent, so you'll see it even when you're reading an article now.
4. New Button Changes in Apple News
With the new persistent navigation bar in Apple News, the interface buttons had to be changed to move things around. Here is everything that's changed:
- The Suggest More and Suggest Less buttons have been moved to the top bar and combined into one Suggest More or Less button. It's now one extra step to like or dislike something since you must tap the new button and then choose "Suggest More" or "Suggest Less" from the menu.
- The Bookmark, Back, and More Actions icons have been updated to match the new Suggest More or Less button. The images are now smaller and enclosed by a darkened circle.
- The Text Size feature has been moved to the More Actions menu. It's now one extra step to change a publication's text size since you must tap the More Actions button and then choose to shrink or enlarge the font.
- The Previous and Next arrows at the bottom have been removed entirely, so now you have to rely solely on swipe gestures to go back and forth between articles.
5. Screen Recordings with Siri
Apple has given Siri another skill on iOS 16.5. Now, you can start and stop screen recordings by saying any of the following commands to Hey Siri or using the Siri long-press shortcut. Similar commands may also work.
- "[Start/Stop] a screen recording"
- "[Start/Stop] recording my screen"
- "[Start/Stop] screen record"
- "[Begin/End] screen recording"
- "Screen record"
6. Shared Admins in Home Can Pair Matter Accessories
If you have another admin for your smart home in the Home app, they will be able to pair and add new Matter accessories on iOS 16.5.
7. Multiview for Sports in Apple TV App
Apple is testing a multiview service in the Apple TV app on iOS 16.5 for sports games. It's not yet available as a user-facing feature yet, but there are multiple references to it in iOS 16.5's code. For example:
- "Remove a game first to add a new one."
- "No More Games Available: Check back later for more games."
- "Exit Multiview?" with "Confirm" and "Cancel" buttons.
Right now, Apple is testing up to four simultaneous streams for its Apple TV+ MLB and MLS broadcasts, and it may open up the split view to other services. There are new icons for two and four games, and you may have to swipe up to begin the multiview.
8. Simpler Beta Software Updates for Apple Watch
Apple simplified developer and public beta updates on iOS 16.4 to work entirely from the Software Update menu. As long as you're signed in to the same Apple account that's part of a beta program, you'll see those options appear in the new "Beta Updates" section.
On iOS 16.5, the Apple Watch app follows suit by simplifying watchOS beta installations. You'll see a new "Beta Updates " menu at My Watch –> General –> Software Update. Tap that, and you can select the beta program for software updates or turn it off to only install stable updates.
9. Always-on Tap to Pay Sounds
Tap to Pay, which lets you accept payments on your iPhone from other mobile devices or contactless-enabled payment cards, has a new feature on iOS 16.5.
In the settings for a supported Tap to Pay app, e.g., Stripe, there should be a new Tap to Pay on iPhone section where the "Tap to Pay Screen Lock" switch, now called "Tap to Pay on iPhone Screen Lock," currently resides. More importantly, there's an entirely new "Always Play Sounds" switch to make successful Tap to Pay transactions sound off even when your iPhone is on Silent mode.
- Always Play Sounds: Play Tap to Pay on iPhone sounds regardless of your current Ring / Silent Mode switch setting.
10. Percentage in Stocks, Not Percent
In a tiny tweak to the Stocks app, iOS 16.5 changes "percent" to "percentage" in some areas, such as when sorting your watchlist or choosing what it shows. So instead of "Percent Change," you'll see "Percentage Change."
11. New Braille Tables
There are now three new braille tables for the Danish language in the VoiceOver accessibility settings. The Danish braille standard was recently updated, and the three new tables are actually the old ones from 1993. Liblouis, the open-source braille translator and formatter used for most braille languages on iOS and other platforms, stated in its December 2022 update that the 1993 tables will be available for at least a year, as requested by The Danish Braille Committee.
- Danish (1993, Computer Braille)
- Danish (1993, Eight dot)
- Danish (1993, Six dot)
12. New Error Codes for Medication in Apple Health
The iOS 16.5 code lists six new error codes for medication scheduling and reminders in Apple Health. The "Schedule Not Available" and "Schedule Unavailable" notices state that schedules and/or reminders are unavailable on the current iPhone or iPhone and paired Apple Watch. It's not yet known what will trigger these errors.
- Schedule for this medication is not available for this iPhone.
- Schedule and reminders for this medication are not available for this iPhone.
- Schedules and reminders for this medication are not available on this iPhone.
- Schedule and reminders for the following medications are not available for this iPhone:
- Schedule and reminders for this medication are not available for this iPhone and paired Apple Watch.
- Schedule and reminders for the following medications are not available for this iPhone and paired Apple Watch:
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FAQs
IOS 16.5 Has 12 New Updates for Your iPhone, Including Big Changes to Apple TV, Apple News, and Siri? ›
There could be several reasons why iPhone laggy issue happens after downloading and installing iOS 16 updates. The most common reasons are: Your phone capacity is too low to carry iOS 16 beta. Too many open apps.
Why is my iPhone acting up after iOS 16 update? ›There could be several reasons why iPhone laggy issue happens after downloading and installing iOS 16 updates. The most common reasons are: Your phone capacity is too low to carry iOS 16 beta. Too many open apps.
What does the new iOS 16 update do? ›This update introduces iCloud Shared Photo Library making it easy to keep your family photos up to date. This release also adds support for third party apps in Live Activities, support for Apple Fitness+ on iPhone even if you don't have an Apple Watch, and includes other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.
What is the latest iPhone update? ›At a Glance
Apple's iOS 16 update was released to the public on September 12, 2022.
The iOS 15.6. 1 upgrade “provides important security updates and is recommended for all users,” Apple says in its release. Apple's iOS 15.6. 1 comes just weeks after iOS 15.6, and is the latest of multiple iOS fixes for already exploited issues this year.
What happens if you don't update your iPhone to iOS 16? ›Your apps don't support iOS 16.
You may need to charge your phone more often because of new software. Even if you wait for future iOS 16 updates, you may still encounter some battery drain for the first few days, but that generally disappears once your iPhone gets settled with the software update.
- Some Lock Screen effects only work with specific photos.
- New Messages features only work if your contacts also use Apple devices.
The main reason to update to iOS 16 for most users will be to gain a host of new features, such as Lock Screen customization and widgets, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Passkeys, Shared Tab Groups, and enhancements to Live Text, Visual Look Up, and Dictation, as well as significant updates for Messages, Mail, Home, ...
Is it good to update your iPhone to iOS 16? ›Personal is powerful. iOS 16 enhances iPhone with all-new personalization features, deeper intelligence, and more seamless ways to communicate and share.
What is the warning from Apple? ›Is the Apple security warning fake? Yes, the Apple Security Warning is fake. It is created to trick you into providing your personal and financial information for the cybercriminals.
Will there be new Emojis in iOS 16? ›
iOS 16.4 update is set to bring 31 new emojis to your iPhone. From shaking face, and pink heart to many more - check the full list here. Apple has officially released the iOS 16.4 beta update and it will bring many new features.
Is iOS 16 out? ›Release history. The first developer beta of iOS 16 was released on June 6, 2022. iOS 16 was officially released on September 12, 2022. See Apple's official release notes for consumers, for enterprise, for developers, and security update contents.
Why is iOS 15.6 1 important? ›The iOS 15.6. 1 update fixes two major zero-day security vulnerabilities that might have been used to attack iPhones and iPads. A zero-day exploit is one about which even the software developer is not aware.
Which devices require the iOS 15.6 1 update? ›Apple iOS 15.6. 1 and iPadOS 15.6. 1 are for all iOS 15-compatible devices; this means the iPhone 6S (2015) and newer and iPad Air 2 (2014) and newer.
What is iOS 15.6 1 about? ›According to Apple, iOS 15.6. 1 has fixed two major vulnerabilities that let apps execute arbitrary code without the user's consent. The update was made available to the public on August 17.
What iPhones are too old for iOS 16? ›What happens to older iPhones like the iPhone 7 Plus? Any iPhone older than the iPhone 8 will not support iOS 16, including the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
Can I go back to iOS 15 from 16 on iPhone? ›To downgrade your iPhone from iOS 16 to iOS 15, you basically need to erase your current phone and then restore it with the new operating system. In order not to lose any of the data on your iPhone, you'll need to have made a backup before you installed the iOS 16 beta.
Should I upgrade to iOS 15.7 or 16? ›In the end, it's up to you which update to choose, but iOS 16.1 will offer more robust security protection than iOS 15.7.
Why does iOS 16 use so much battery? ›Customize lock screen widgets
The new lock screen widgets are unquestionably iOS 16's biggest battery hogs. They work around the clock to keep their information up to date, and if you've got more than a couple of them, their effect on your iPhone's battery life can soar exponentially.
Released on August 17, iOS 15.6. 1 had no new feature additions, but it does include a critical security fix that addresses kernel and Webkit vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution. Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox.
What is the difference between iOS 15.6 and 16? ›
The first difference between iOS 16 and iOS 15 is the lock screen. Compared with iOS 15, iOS 16 has a big change in the style of the lock screen interface. On the new lock screen, we can change fonts and wallpaper, and even put widgets on the lock screen.
Is it worth upgrading iOS 15 to 16? ›iOS 16 is definitely worth the upgrade, especially with iOS 16.2 now out.
What phones is iOS 16 recommended for? ›Basically, if you have an iPhone 8 (2017) or newer (including the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you can download and run iOS 16.
Which Apple devices are at risk? ›According to the CERT-In advisory, Apple iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation) are impacted.
How do I know if my iPhone is infected? ›The best way to know if your iPhone has a virus is to check for the following signs: unfamiliar or crashing apps, lots of Safari pop-ups, unusual charges or data usage, a rapidly draining battery, or a consistently hot phone.
Can Apple tell me if my phone has been hacked? ›Apple cannot detect every sophisticated state-sponsored attack, and you have to be on the lookout. Of course, the likelihood of any random individual being a target is relatively slim. Still, you can never be too careful, and simply being aware can make a difference.
What does mean? ›Emoji Meaning
A face that appears to be shaking from side to side with its eyes and mouth open wide. This emoji finds its origins in the comic book and cartoon trope of a shaking face. It can be used to express shaking from external forces like earthquakes, loud noises, or dinosaurs walking nearby.
Meaning: Sympathetic love. Use: The grey heart is reserved for expressions of sympathy. It's best used when wanting to share sympathetic love to a friend or family member who is going through a tough time.
What does dotted line face emoji mean? ›A muted yellow neutral face with a dotted or dashed outline. An established comic book trope, dotted lines around a character can represent someone that is invisible or hidden. It can also represent smallness, submissiveness, isolation, and depression. This emoji has the same expression as 😐 Neutral Face.
When did iOS 15.6 come out? ›| Version | Build | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| 15.4.1 | 19E258 | March 31, 2022 |
| 15.5 | 19F77 | May 16, 2022 |
| 15.6 | 19G71 | July 20, 2022 |
| 15.6.1 | 19G82 | August 17, 2022 |
What will iOS 16 bring? ›
Installing the new operating system software on your iPhone gives you loads of new features and settings, such as a more customizable lock screen, a way to edit sent messages and a magic photo editing tool. Plus, iOS 16 brings back the battery percentage icon.
What are the drawbacks of iOS 15.6 1? ›The current list of iOS 15.6. 1 problems includes abnormal battery drain, installation issues, UI lag, issues with Touch ID and Face ID, and issues with first and third-party apps.
Should I upgrade 15.6 1? ›iOS 15.6. 1 has just been released and Apple is urging users to update as soon as possible. Updates give the tech firm a chance to correct glitches and keep the device secure from new threats. The latest update fixes a major concern around people's personal security on their iPhones which could have had serious issues.
Why didn't iOS 15.6 install? ›You might be unable to update your iPhone or iPad wirelessly — or over the air — for one of these reasons: Your device doesn't support the latest software. There isn't enough available storage space on your device. The update takes a long time to download.
What does iOS 15.6 have new? ›With iOS 15.6, the TV app will now let you restart live sports games already in progress, as well as pause, rewind and fast-forward. This feature is also available in updates for the iPad and Mac computers. Here are Apple's iOS release notes: iOS 15.6 includes enhancements, bug fixes and security updates.
Is iOS 15.6 1 good or bad? ›iOS 15.6. 1 is an update that Apple “recommends for all users” as it “provides important security updates.” Apple doesn't always encourage users to update in this way, so it's pretty clear that iOS 15.6. 1 is an important update that users of compatible devices will want to take the time to download and install.
Which iPhones support iOS 15.6 1? ›- Supported models.
- iPhone 8.
- iPhone 8 Plus.
- iPhone X.
- iPhone XR.
- iPhone XS.
- iPhone XS Max.
- iPhone 11.
iOS 15.6 Problems
Some of these problems are brand new, others have carried over from iOS 15.5 and older versions of iOS 15. The current list of problems includes installation issues, UI lag, issues with Touch ID and Face ID, issues with first and third-party apps, and abnormal battery drain.
“Your iPhone isn't a finished product—no smartphone is—and neither are your tablets and computers,” says Monica Eaton, Owner & Founder of Chargebacks911. “They're all a work in progress, especially the software.” WebKit is Apple's latest vulnerability, and it's recommended that all iPhone users update now to stay safe.
Why is iOS 16 so glitchy? ›Poor Internet Connection: Weak network connection can be responsible for iOS laggy. Problematic Apps are not compatible with iOS 16: Some applications are not compatible with iOS 16. These applications temper mobile functioning.
How do I go back to iOS 15 from iOS 16? ›
To downgrade your iPhone from iOS 16 to iOS 15, you basically need to erase your current phone and then restore it with the new operating system. In order not to lose any of the data on your iPhone, you'll need to have made a backup before you installed the iOS 16 beta.
Can you uninstall iOS 16 beta? ›Here's what to do: Go to Settings > General, and tap VPN & Device Management. Tap the iOS Beta Software Profile. Tap Remove Profile, then restart your device.
Can I revert back to iOS 15? ›If you recently updated your iPhone to iOS 16 and have decided it's not for you, perhaps due to some incompatibility or battery issue or otherwise, you'll be excited to know you can downgrade from iOS 16 and revert back to iOS 15.
Should you install iOS 16? ›iOS 16: Why you should wait
No iOS release is bug-free, and it's always possible that you're going to run into problems you didn't have before. That said, between the new features and security updates present in iOS 16.1 and beyond, we really think most users will be much better off if they grabbed the latest version.
- App Crash Issue: iPhone users are encountering an app crash issue after installing iOS 16. ...
- Scrolling Bug: iPhone X Devices running iOS 16 are facing scrolling issues. ...
- Unable to Update Apps: There is an issue accepting T&Cs in App Store on iOS 16.
No, you will not lose anything when you upgrade.
How to downgrade iOS 16 to 14? ›Hold Shift key in Windows or the Alt/Option key in Mac and select the Check for Update option. In the dialog box, select the iOS 14 IPSW file. Click Update when prompted to update iPhone/ iPad to iOS 14.
Does iOS 16 drain battery? ›And although they haven't been released yet, Live Activities and the iCloud Shared Photo Library are two iOS 16 features that may also drain your battery, so look out for an update to this story on how to disable them.
How do I go back to a previous version of iOS? ›- Select your device. ...
- Select the version of iOS you wish to download. ...
- Click the Download button. ...
- Hold down Shift (PC) or Option (Mac) and click the Restore button.
- Find the IPSW file that you downloaded earlier, select it and click Open.
- Click Restore.
Go to Settings > General > [Device name] Storage. Find the update in the list of apps. Tap the update, then tap Delete Update.
Is iOS 16 beta risky? ›
3. You May Lose Your Data. While this problem isn't specific to beta builds, it's more common during beta updates. When you're updating your iPhone to a major new software version, especially beta software, there's always a tiny risk that you'll brick your device and lose all your data in the process.
What happens if I delete iOS beta? ›Remove iOS public beta updates
Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and tap the iOS & iPadOS Beta Software Profile that appears. Tap Remove Profile. If asked, enter your device passcode, then tap Remove. Once the profile is deleted, your device will no longer receive iOS public betas.
Apple is expected to release the first beta of iOS 16.4 in the near future, but as of now, iOS 16.3 is the only available version of iOS 16. Apple has also stopped signing iOS 15.7.