This article covers an evolving story. Stay in touch with us as we will add more information as it becomes available.
After several months of beta testing, Apple has released iOS 16 to the public in September. This one great iPhone update introduces advanced lock screen customizations, live activities, improvements to messaging and email, and much, much more. The company then seeded the stable iOS 16.1 on October 24 — with some of the missing features, such as iCloud Shared Photo Library and other additions. With iOS 16.1 behind us, Apple has started actively working on the upcoming iOS 16.X release. Take a look: iOS 16.2 Release Candidate (RC) is now available to enrolled developers around the world. Those who have registered and activated the beta profile can download and install this build right away. Here’s a list of everything new in iOS 16.2 Release Candidate.
What’s New in iOS 16.2 Release Candidate
Sing Apple Music
iOS 16.2 Release Candidate introduces the newly announced Sing Apple Music feature. This addition turns your iPhone into a karaoke machine, assuming you have an Apple Music subscription.
We are still digging out iOS 16.2 Release Candidate. We’ll update this article as (and if) we discover new features or visual changes. In the meantime, consider checking out the official Release Notes – where Apple has highlighted some of the known bugs, fixes and tweaks.
Beta 4
Detailed change log in the About section
iOS 16.2 beta 4 now includes detailed change login Settings > About when checking the installed version number. Prior to this beta, it only showed the build number and a short description.
Beta 3
Always-On Display improvements
The iPhone 14 Pro introduces an Always-On Display (AOD) feature. However, many criticized it for showing too many elements, including the wallpaper. With iOS 16.2 beta 3, users can hide wallpaper and/or notifications in AOD mode.
Apple Music tweaks
iOS 16.2 beta 3 introduces new ones Play and Shake buttons in Apple Music playlists with large, animated artwork. The new buttons are translucent and their colors adjust based on the specific artwork. Before this change, these buttons had a solid black background with white text.
Beta 2
Live Activity tweaks
iOS 16.1 introduced Live Activity API support. This allows apps to push persistent notifications that display current information. iOS 16.2 beta 2 introduces the option to allow more frequent updates. This would allow an app to refresh the content of a Live Activity more often. It is expected that enabling this switch may drain your battery faster.
5G support in India
Apple recently stated that it would enable 5G support in India on compatible iPhones via a future software update. iOS 16.2 beta 2 finally enables this functionality, allowing users to enjoy faster internet.
New drug widgets
iOS 16.2 beta 2 adds two new Medications Lock Screen widgets. Allows users to quickly access or view their medication reminders.
Beta 1
Apple Freeform app
iOS 16.2 beta 1 introduces the Freeform app. For the unfamiliar, Apple teased this productivity application during WWDC22, back in June. Think of it as a canvas to jump-start your creative juices and plan ahead. It supports text, doodling, media and file insertion, etc. This way you can create the ultimate brainstorming mind web. It obviously has bugs in iOS 16.2 beta 1, such as the inability to delete boards offline. However, you can expect the company to fix major ones in the next beta releases before the update is publicly launched later this year.
home upgrades
iOS 16.2 beta 1 introduces a more reliable Apple Home architecture upgrade. However, it requires all paired HomePods to have version 16.2. If you are using an earlier version on your HomePod(s), you will not be able to start the upgrade.
Apple Music tweaks
Apple modified it Lossless tag on the Now Playing screen in the Music app. Those running iOS 16.2 beta 1 will notice a more rectangular, opaque border compared to the previous UI.
New sleep widget
iOS 16.2 beta 1 introduces a new Lock Screen widget for monitoring information about your sleep. It mirrors the data stored in the Apple Health app.
Which iOS 16 features have you used the most and why? Let us know in the comments below.
