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Apple Releases Second Public Beta of iOS 17.6

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Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 updates to public beta testers, with the betas coming two weeks after the initial iOS and iPadOS 17.6 developer betas.

iOS 17
Public beta testers can get the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Public Beta. Signing up on Apple's beta testing website is required.

The new additions Apple promised for iOS 17 have all been implemented at this point, so it is not clear what will be included in iOS 17.6, and no features were discovered in the developer betas.

With Apple now shifting its focus to iOS 18, it is likely that iOS 17.6 will include bug fixes and other under-the-hood improvements.

Apple has also seeded the second public betas of upcoming watchOS 10.6 and tvOS 17.6 updates.

Related Roundup: iPhone 17
Buyer's Guide: iPhone 17 (Neutral)
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Top Rated Comments

Reverend Benny Avatar
Reverend Benny
24 months ago

Anyone know what's included in 17.6? Seems weird to have a beta for an OS version that does nothing
Guessing now but I would at least expect a good pile of security updates. Usually that's not listed in advance.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimmy Bubbles Avatar
Jimmy Bubbles
24 months ago

With iOS 18 public beta just around the corner, there won’t be many takers for this one, I guess. 😉
Oh man, you’re waiting for the PB‽ 😂
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimmy Bubbles Avatar
Jimmy Bubbles
24 months ago

Yep, the plan is to put iOS 18 DB3=PB1 on my main gear. 😊✌️
I’ve BEEN DB since day 1. Don’t be scared, just back up your shtuff.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sbailey4 Avatar
sbailey4
24 months ago

Anyone know what's included in 17.6? Seems weird to have a beta for an OS version that does nothing
"Bug fixes and performance improvements" Here is some other info from a few other sources:

New features in the iOS 17.6 beta
iOS 17.6 introduces a brand new feature for sports fans ('https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/20/apple-tv-app-adds-new-catch-up-feature-for-live-streaming-sports-in-mls-season-pass/') in the TV app. ‘Catch Up’ enables viewing some of the top highlights of a game in process so you can jump right in even if you missed the start.

Otherwise, iOS 17.6 focuses on stability and performance improvements, with no other major new features currently known. That may change during the beta cycle, however.
....................................................................................................
At the moment, iOS 17.6 beta 2 is more about what Apple could add rather than what's already there. Apple plans to bring Lost Mode to Apple Pencil Pro on the Find My app.

Besides that, it seems Apple will let users remove their devices from Repair Mode through the Find My app as well. At this moment, you can't do that.

For Apple News+, Apple is working on Live Activity support for Home Screen and Lock Screen, so you can keep following games and other factual stories happening at that moment.

iOS 17.6 beta 2 is also bringing a new Messages app setting that lets you filtered unknown senders also if they're an international sender.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
N
now i see it
24 months ago

Anyone know what's included in 17.6? Seems weird to have a beta for an OS version that does nothing
Every time apl touches the code just a tiny bit, unexpected bad things can crop up.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
BeeeRick
24 months ago

I’ve BEEN DB since day 1. Don’t be scared, just back up your shtuff.
I wanted to do it, but the number of bugs users are posting on reddit, seems a little to risky for my tastes.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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