Beta 6 of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16

The update carousel for the current operating system generation from Apple turns faster. Apple has reduced update cycles to one week after beta 5 of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13, watchOS 9 and tvOS 16 were released last week

This is new in iOS 16

Apple has released iOS 16 Beta 6 for developers. This new beta brings the percentage battery indicator that appeared in beta 5 to the iPhone’s system status bar – and it hasn’t changed. Also, the Where Is app gets a new search sound and the “Copy and Delete” option appears when you take a screenshot.

Apple also released iPadOS 16 Beta 6 for the iPad. Apparently Apple does not want to release the tablet operating system parallel to iOS 16 but a month later – probably in October 2022.

What does macOS 13 Ventura bring?

The next MacOS version brings an iPhone to work as a webcam on Mac as a new feature. If you use an iPhone with an ultra wide-angle lens, you can even film the desktop surface next to the Mac. In this way, notes or small objects can be filmed without having to change the position of the iPhone.

With the Stage Manager function, there is a new window manager not only for iPadOS but also for macOS. So far, experiences with it have been mixed.

Spotlight search in Ventura can recognize text in photos and display information about contacts, albums, musicians, movies, TV shows, actors, sports and businesses. Quick actions such as a timer or a focus can also be started from Spotlight.

The Mail app can now shine with an improved search. There are also functions such as retrieving emails and sending them later.

Passkeys is a new way to log in that is end-to-end encrypted and offers protection against phishing and data leaks. This makes it stronger than all the usual types of two‑factor authentication. Passkeys also work on non-Apple devices.

The iCloud photo library makes it possible to share pictures with up to five other people, for example to manage family members’ photos together.

Apple also wants to release a shared whiteboard as an app. This allows users to work together on projects, save notes, draw or store web links, documents, videos and music on one surface. The app doesn’t exist yet, but it should be released in 2022. It will run not only on macOS Ventura but also on iPadOS.

watchOS 9 for the Apple Matches of newer design

If you use a new Apple Watch with a large display, you can make better use of the space with changed dials. This allows more data to be displayed on the screen when training. The notification system was also turned inside out and should be able to make better use of the space.

The sleep tracking function is to be supplemented with sleep phases and detailed statistics. For this purpose, acceleration sensors and the heart rate sensor are to be used at night. Apple also wants to improve accessibility in watchOS 9.

How do I get Apple developer betas?

First of all: The betas are only available for developers with an Apple account – don’t trust any website where you have to pay money. Apple has already taken action against two of these websites and had them shut down

You have to register with the developer program for iOS or macOS, register your mobile phone or tablet or watch or set-top box and install a configuration profile on it in order to configure iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta or macOS and tvOS or get watchOS on your device. Only when the configuration profile is on the mobile phone or tablet and notebook can the beta be displayed and downloaded in the software update.

Before installing, you should definitely consider: Make a backup of the device beforehand, unless you can 100 percent do without the data that is stored on it.

To make sure backup is enabled on iOS and iPadOS as well, go to Settings > Your Name > iCloud > iCloud Backup and make sure Backup is enabled. It can also be created spontaneously with “Backup Now”. Of course, you can also create a backup copy with the Mac without iCloud.

Did you discover something new?

Did you install the new betas and discover anything new? Then feel free to write something in the comment fields below this message, because that’s what they’re there for. Thanks in advance.