Apple iOS 16.1 Public Beta 2 Seeding to Users: Here’s What’s New

Apple is seeding the iOS 16.1 public beta 2 for users to try out. The beta update introduces a bunch of features Apple revealed during the WWDC 2022 keynote, along with a few tweaks to improve the iPhone 14’s performance. 

Apple is also seeding new public betas of iPad 16.1, WatchOS 9.1, tvOS 16.1, HomePod 16.1, macOS Venture 13. Do note that not all of them will be stable. 

What To Expect With iOS 16.1

Live Activities: Adding to the richer lockscreen, Live Activities will show events happening in real-time, right on your lock-screen. You can follow an ongoing sports match or track your Uber right on your lockscreen.   

Battery Percentage Available on More Devices: The battery percentage icon is now available on the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini, and iPhone 13 mini. 

iCloud Shared Photo Library: iOS 16.1 will allow families to share their photos seamlessly with other iCloud libraries. Up to six users can collaborate, contribute, and view photos as they get uploaded. 

Clean Energy Charging: iPhones will optimise charging times to decrease the carbon footprint when it detects the grid is using clean energy sources. 

Matter Support: iOS 16.1 brings support for Matter, a new smart home connectivity standard that makes smart home accessories work together seamlessly, across multiple platforms.

Apple Wallet App Can Be Deleted: The new update will let users delete the Wallet app, should you choose to. However, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay, Apple Card, and Apple Cash. 

Among the things fixed, iOS 16.1 fixes the copy and paste bug, the three-finger gesture bug. It has also added a Lock Screen charging indicator that was last seen on iOS 15.

iOS 16.1 started rolling out with the launch of the iPhone 14 series, which includes the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The new software upgrade breathes new life into the lockscreen with Widgets support, easier notification access, focus filters, editing messages, and more.