We're a few months away from Apple officially releasing the next major versions of its various operating systems. However, you can try out the betas of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, macOS Ventura, and tvOS 16 right now. Apple has released a public beta, just weeks after offering the first betas to developers. Software Program Beta and follow the instructions.
The iPadOS 16 beta is also out.
Keep in mind that there may be some bugs that Apple hasn't identified and fixed. Be sure to back up your data before installing any beta (although regular backups are always a good practice). You'll have the option to remove your device from the public beta program and revert to an older version of the operating system.
Also new is the option to edit messages after they're sent in Messages, a way to report spam text messages, a Pay Later feature in Wallet, and an option to schedule emails in the Mail app. There's more on the way, including updates to Apple Maps, CarPlay , and Family Sharing. An "extreme" security option will also be available for high-profile users.
As for iPadOS 16, improved multitasking options will give you more control over how apps resize, such as overlapping windows. However, some of the features are limited to M1-powered iPads. Elsewhere, there's support for external displays, Google Drive-style document collaboration, and (later this year) SharePlay features in Game Center.
Apple has made multitasking a key focus for macOS Ventura as well. The Stage Manager tool can group windows on the side of your screen and organize them by app. There will be an undo send option in the Mail app, along with the option to share groups of tabs in Safari and a new security feature called Passcodes, which will use Face ID and Touch ID for authentication. You’ll also be able to use an iPhone as a webcam for your Mac.
In watchOS 9, Apple is giving fitness features a major upgrade. You'll have access to distance and timed workouts. There'll also be a way to see what heart rate zones you're in during workouts and sleep. In addition, Apple is promising improved sleep tracking as well as medication reminders.
As for tvOS 16, the updates are light compared to some of the other devices. One major update is the addition of full support for the Matter smart home standard. As appears to be the case with iOS 16, tvOS will support Nintendo 's Joy-Con and Switch Pro controllers .
Apple is ending support for some older devices with this year's operating system updates. To use the iOS 16 beta, for example, you'll need an iPhone 8 or later.
