The company has made it easier to install Beta software on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac directly from the settings app. This feature is automatically enabled if your device is already enrolled in the program that updates to the latest Beta release. To install the latest Beta, your iPhone or iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enrol in the Apple Developer Program. Previously, users had to install a profile from the Apple Developer Website.
With the future update of iOS and iPadOS, you must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enrol in the Apple Developer Program to see this option in settings. These new settings are the way to enable developer beta, and configuring a profile will no longer grant access. This feature is also available on both Public Beta and Developer Beta, even on macOS. However, you can also use a different Apple ID from what is used in your Mac’s Settings for the Beta.
Betas are not recommended for general users because they contain bugs and other issues that could affect the performance of your device. While updating, make sure you have at least 50% battery life.
iOS 16.5/ iPadOS 16.6 Beta
The company has released the Beta version of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.6 Beta for developers to test with some noticeable features, including iMessage Contact Key verification. However, it also has a USB 3 bug that does not power any device. This update comes after the launch of iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5. Registered developers can access the Beta by heading to the Settings app and selecting Software Update. Then, enable the Beta update option, for which users require an associated Apple ID with a developer account to download and install the Beta.
This Beta follows the iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5 on May 18. This beta version has build numbers 20G5026e and 20F66 for iOS and iPadOS 16.5. Public Beta will be released in the coming weeks, and exact details about the build have yet to be shared. This means developers must explore and interact with the OS to find new features and changes. It is likely one of the final updates for the iOS 16 OS as Apple shifts its focus to iOS 17. The company released another Beta after seven weeks of Beta Testing, which brings a Sports tab in the Apple News app, Pride Celebration Wallpaper, and bug fixes related to CarPlay, Screen Time, and Spotlight.
USB 3 Camera Adapter not working
The lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter from Apple needs to be fixed with iPhones and iPad since updating to iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5. Users have needed help connecting cameras, microphones or other USB-powered accessories to their devices. They can’t power any device connected to both ports either. It’s a software bug, but the underlying cause is unknown. Charging works fine, though. Apple will probably fix the bug in the next iOS update, but it may take several weeks to release the update. The company might release the iOS 16.5.1 update to fix the issue sooner. We expect the company to release iOS 17 during the WWDC keynote on June 5.
iMessage Contact Key Verification
Apple introduced this feature as part of its security protections in December 2023 to help protect users’ sensitive data in iCloud and iMessage. It was scheduled to be released sometime in 2023. It still needs to be made if the feature is fully functional in the beta version, but tapping it doesn’t activate any visible feature.
This feature debuted with iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6, but it still needs to be enabled. After this feature is enabled, users will be alerted automatically if state-sponsored attackers breach the cloud server or find a way to monitor encrypted communications.
This security feature will protect users such as journalists, human rights activists, and government members from extraordinary digital threats, including government agencies eavesdropping or other malicious actors on their conversations. iMessage Contact Key Verification works by creating a unique key pair that is stored on the device locally for each iMessage conversation, and those keys are never shared with Apple. This feature is an advanced version of end-to-end encryption. When two users communicate, they can verify that they are talking to the correct person by comparing their contact verification codes. Users can verify they are messaging the right person via FaceTime or other secured communications.
macOS Ventura 13.5 Dev Beta
Apple has released the first beta version of macOS Ventura 13.5 to developers for testing. This beta version is available for download from the Apple Developer Center and can be installed using the appropriate profile. It is also available through the Software Update feature in system settings. The company has not shared information about new features or changes in macOS Ventura 13.5.
How to Enable macOS Beta from System Settings
Officially, Apple has introduced macOS 13.4, and you can enable the macOS Beta Update from System Settings to get all the new features. This allows you to try out the improvements to macOS before they are released to the general public and provide feedback to Apple about the latest features and bugs.
To enable macOS Beta:
- Open the Apple menu from the upper-left corner and select System Preferences.
- Click on General and then click on Software Update.
- Click on the “i” button next to Beta Updates, then select Developer Beta or Public Beta according to your preference.
- Check the checkbox for “Automatically keep my Mac up to date.”
- You must do that first if you are not signed in with Developer or Public Beta with Apple.
- If you want to change Apple IDs for Beta, click “Use a different Apple ID for Beta Update” at the bottom.
- Click on the Advance button and check the checkbox for “Install macOS Beta Update.”
After enabling the macOS Beta, you will receive early access to new features, and the Beta update for macOS will be installed automatically.
Note: Betas are not always stable, and you must keep a backup of your Mac before installing.
Company Restarting Beta Cycle
The company has restarted the Beta testing phase for their new release, macOS Ventura 13.5 build 22G5027e. Developers can download the Beta version from Apple Developer Center or update their Mac with the Beta software. The Public Beta will also be available via OTA through the Apple Software Program. The Public version will be launched shortly after the Developer Version, and Company will release the Beta even for older versions of macOS, which includes macOS Monterey 12.6.7 and macOS Big Sur 11.7.8. The changelog for these builds has yet to be shared by the company.
watchOS 9.6 and tvOS 19.6
The first developer Beta for watchOS 9.6 has build number 20U5527c, and tvOS 16.6 has build 20M5527e. The HomePod Software with a Build 20M5527e is also available for developers to test through Apple Developer Center or update their device with the beta software. Apple usually releases the Developer Beta after the Apple Beta Software Program.
Beta comes after the launch of tvOS 16.5, and they can update by using XCode to install the profile on the Apple TV, which typically focuses on internal bug fixes and improvements rather than major visual changes. Like tvOS, watchOS 9.5 was released to developers for testing one day after the launch of watchOS 9.5. They can download the configured profile from the Apple Developer Center.
After downloading the Developer Profile, they can download the update through the Apple Watch app on the paired iPhone by heading to General and then Software Update.
The company released the last Developer Beta to the public on May 18, and for this Beta, the company has yet to share any changelog, so it’s up to the developers to explore and interact to find new features and changes.
