AppleInsider is supported by its audience and can earn commission as an Amazon affiliate and affiliate partner on qualifying purchases. These affiliate partnerships do not affect our editorial content.
Apple has released the fourth developer beta versions of iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, tvOS 15.6 and watchOS 8.7 to testers.
The latest versions can be downloaded via the Apple Developer Center for those enrolled in the testing program, or via an over-the-air update on devices using the beta software. Public betas usually arrive within a few days of the developer versions, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.
The fifth beta appears after the fourth, released on June 28, which followed on the third of June 14. The first beta appeared on May 31st.
The fifth build number for iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6 is 19G5063a, which replaces the fourth build, 19G5056c. The fifth tvOS 15.6 build has been updated to 19M5062a from 19M5056c. Finally, the fifth watchOS 8.7 beta build is 19U5063a, which runs from 19U5056c.
The betas have so far largely consisted of bug fixes and performance improvement releases, rather than providing new features. Since Apple is also testing betas for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16 and watchOS 9, it’s unlikely that any new features in beta that will be available sooner will emerge.
AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly advise users to avoid installing beta software on “mission-critical” or primary devices, due to the low potential for data loss or other issues. Instead, testers should install betas on secondary or non-essential devices, and to ensure that there is adequate backup of important data before updating it in the first place.