iOS 16.6 Beta Coming Soon for iPhones Ahead of iOS 17 at WWDC - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

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

iOS 27 on iPhone 17 1

iOS 27 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Saturday May 2, 2026 8:43 am PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and there are already many rumored features and changes for iPhones. The first developer beta of iOS 27 will likely be available immediately following the keynote, and a public beta typically follows in July. Following beta testing, the software update should be released to all users with a compatible iPhone in...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

Why You Might Want to Wait to Buy a MacBook Pro

Friday May 1, 2026 3:43 pm PDT by
Apple refreshed the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Pro and M5 Max models in March 2026, but depending on your needs and interests, you might want to skip this generation because there's something better in the works. The M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models have faster chips, but the same design that Apple has used since 2021. An updated design with new display technology and faster ...
Apple Event Logo

Apple Just Released a New Accessory

Monday May 4, 2026 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today released a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band features a rainbow design with 11 colors of woven nylon yarns. The new Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, and it will be available at Apple Store locations starting later this week. In the U.S., the band costs $49. There...

Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
39 months ago
The last release prior to iOS 17 will be iOS 16.9.9
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️ Avatar
39 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
39 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)
39 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)
39 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)
ss2cire Avatar
39 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)
Related Apple News: Sport | Technology | Culture | Politics | South Africa