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Apple continues to beta test its operating systems, with a fourth developer beta for iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, tvOS 15.6 and watchOS 8.7.
The latest builds can be downloaded by developers in the beta testing schedule through the Apple Developer Center, or as a wireless update for hardware that already uses previous beta builds. A public beta of the releases is expected to be released soon, and will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program website.
The fourth build comes after the third, which was released on June 14, while the second was released on May 31.
The fourth build number for iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6 is 19G5056c, replacing the third, 19G5046d. The fourth build of tvOS 15.6 has been updated to 19M5056c from 19M5046c. Finally, the fourth beta version of watchOS 8.7 is 19U5056c, which takes over from 19U5046b.
Apple has also released HomePod software version 15.6 beta 4 for members of the closed AppleSeed beta program.
Until now, the betas have mostly consisted of bug fixes and performance improvements, rather than introducing brand new features. As Apple is testing betas for iOS 16, iPadOS 16, tvOS 16, and watchOS 9, it seems unlikely that new elements will be introduced anytime soon.
AppleInsider, and Apple itself, strongly recommend that users do not install beta software on “mission-critical” or primary devices because of the low risk of data loss or other issues. Instead, testers should install betas on secondary or non-essential devices and make sure there are enough backups of important data before updating at all.