iOS 16.4 Second Beta is Now Here

Shortly after the release of the second beta version of iOS 16.4, Apple has now also started testing in the public beta program. Among other things, innovations for the books and the podcast app, as well as new emojis, can be tried out.

With the new beta of iOS 16.4 for the iPhone, Apple has now also released it for the public beta channel. All volunteer testers can now load the latest beta onto their iPhones. The update brings build 20E5223e. An update for iPadOS is also available. Since the update started yesterday for the developer channel, there is now a lot of information about the new features and changes it contains.

The novelties include many small improvements. How to start new page-turning effects for the Books app. In iOS 16.4, new emojis and the “Channels” launch in the Podcasts app. In addition, Mastodon links are now provided with a preview in the Messages app and there is a new overview of devices with Apple Care+ coverage in the Settings app.

Apple has also improved the new HomeKit architecture already shown. The first launch with iOS 16.2 still brought many problems, so Apple rolled back the changes. Now you can test again. No further details have been leaked out yet, but there is a long list of bug fixes and improvements. If there is more information about the content of this update in a timely manner, we will provide it later.

How to join the beta program

Apple has changed the way you can sign up for the developer beta and public beta programs – if you haven’t already. Previously this was only possible through a dedicated Apple website, but now there’s a new option in the Settings app on the device you’re trying to sign in with. 

Apple testers then receive the update via the update function. New versions are then automatically downloaded to the device. Testing preliminary versions is always at your own risk and should not run on the productive system.