iOS 16.6 and macOS 13.5: the 3rd public beta is available

Apple is releasing the third public beta of iOS 16.6 on iPhone and iPadOS 16.6 on iPad today. It comes 24 hours after the equivalent version for developers.

Do not expect many changes with iOS 16.6. We are in the third beta and there is nothing special to get your teeth into. The only change noticed is that iOS 16.6 is laying the groundwork for ignition key verification for iMessage. This adds extra security, ensuring that the contact you’re talking to is actually that contact and not some malicious personal impersonating them. Although the option is present in the beta, it does not offer anything special. Enabling it doesn’t change anything.

If your device is set up to receive iOS 16 public betas, go to Settings > General > Software Update to download iOS 16.6 Beta 3. The final version should not delay, although Apple does not give a release date yet.

Of course, many people today are focusing on iOS 17 rather than iOS 16.6. This update will go through a beta phase throughout the summer, before a final version is available to everyone in September.

On the Mac side, Apple offers the third public beta for macOS 13.5. It too arrives 24 hours after the equivalent version for developers.