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We have the third beta of . tested iOS 16 and here are all the changes and new features we’ve found so far. Let’s go hands on.
Apple has just released the third developer beta of iOS 16 — along with the other operating systems currently in testing — and as usual, several changes are in tow. There are certainly plenty of bug fixes, but Apple has added many other improvements as well.
Changes in iOS 16 beta three
We’ve put together a big list of changes in this beta, but it’s by no means exhaustive. We usually see improvements to the new features, but this update also included a brand new feature that we hadn’t seen before.
Lock Mode
One of the biggest changes to this update is Lockdown Mode. This ultra-high security mode is not designed for the everyday user, but for anyone who fears being the target of cyber-attacks.
Activists, journalists, government officials and more may feel the need to strengthen the security of their devices. Right now Lockdown Mode is on iOS, but coming to iPadOS and macOS at.
Lock Mode
Enabling Lockdown Mode will disable many commonly used aspects of your phone. As a few examples, all attachments except photos are blocked in Messages, wired connections are disabled and FaceTime calls from unknown calls are blocked.
Apple says they will add Lockdown Mode over time. Read more about Lockdown Mode in our special cover of his announcement.
photos
In Photos, Apple has released its first implementation of the shared photo library. When the shared library is turned on, you can share your own images with up to five friends or family members.
Enable Shared Photo Library
The original creator hosts the requirement iCloud storage space and members don’t have to be part of your special iCloud Family Sharing account. You can switch between your own photos and shared photos by tapping the ellipsis in the top right corner.
Move between photo libraries
Apple makes it easy to decide which photos to share, what can be done based on the date, or who’s in the photos. When you take photos in the Camera app, you can post photos directly to the shared library or keep them private.
lock screen
The lock screen is getting a major overhaul with iOS 16 and Apple is tweaking it further with this third beta.
New Font Options
There are now a total of eight font options for the time. A thin font, borrowed from iOS 15, and a thicker font option. These are useful for the timestamp on the lock screen.
With the third beta, the Calendar widget is now more private. You need to unlock your phone first to see what’s on your calendar otherwise it will be obfuscated.
Earth and the moon have moved
Speaking of widgets, in betas one and two, the Earth or the Moon would block anything you added. Apple has changed this to now lower the moon or earth when adding widgets. When the widgets are removed, the celestial body will move up again to be centered.
The new clown fish wallpaper
Finally, Apple adds a retro wallpaper for users. The clown fish wallpaper that many fans may know has been added and updated. It has parts of the sea anemone overlapping the time and animates the fish with black when you wake up your phone.
Other beta 3 changes
In the Health application, Apple has added a section for AFib history. AFib data can now be viewed over time and high-level information is available to explain what the data means.
Soon Safari will support virtual card numbers. Reminders now gives you a Settings switch to include or omit all scheduled reminders. In Settings, the iOS version panel with the build number has been redesigned and the apple.com link has been removed.
If you are an Apple fitness+ user, you now get new rewards for completing various tasks. Currently, these are not shown to everyone, but they are retroactively awarded and can be activated when completing a new workout.
Changes for iPadOS 16
on iPadApple made some much needed improvements to Stage Manager.
When you enable Stage Manager for the first time, a new modal warning appears. It walks you through the basics of Stage Manager and has a simplistic animation on how it works. Likewise, a new warning will appear when you connect an external monitor for the first time.
Stage Manager updated with Instagram open
In Stage Manager, windows now have new options when you tap the menu in the toolbar. This menu allows you to minimize a window, close a window, open a new window or zoom to full screen.
If you have ever used iOS apps on iPad, you are familiar with the below par experience. This updated version of Stage Manager can now display them in the correct iPhone size and dramatically improves the user experience.
Available soon
At the moment, iOS 16 is currently in developer beta. A public beta is scheduled for July, with a full release this fall. Stay informed AppleInsider as we walk through more features for Apple’s upcoming software updates.