New Update Available: Apple Releases Beta 4 of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6
Apple has made available the fourth beta of iOS 16.6 and iPadOS 16.6 to developers, preceding the official release. This update primarily emphasizes security, specifically the verification of iMessage Contact Keys.
As MacRumors pointed out, the update creates a platform for performing iMessage Contact Key verification, and is intended to allow Apple device owners to confirm that they’re sending messages to the right people—the people they intend to text—and not to an attacker who may have gained access to the conversation or simply eavesdrops on user texts.
Apple claims the new iMessage Contact Key verification feature is intended for people at risk from “unusual digital threats,” such as journalists, government officials, and others. Simply put, people who are under threat would benefit from this feature.
It’s currently unclear if the feature will make it to the final stable release of iOS 16.6, but according to MacRumors, Apple plans to release the update sometime in 2023.
To sign up for developer beta updates, developers can go to Settings > Software Update > Beta Updates > and then enable the iOS 16 Developer Beta download option.
Apple has also recently released a stable iOS 16.5.1 update that includes important security fixes and is recommended for all users. It also fixes a bug that could prevent charging with the Lightning to USB 3 camera adapter.
