Following several months of beta testing, Apple released iOS 16 to the public back in September. This great iPhone update introduces advanced Lock Screen customizations, Live Activities, improvements to Messages and Mail, and much, much more. The company then seeded the stable iOS 16.1 on October 24 — bringing some of the missing features, such as iCloud Shared Photo Library and other additions. Now that iOS 16.1 is behind us, Apple has started actively working on the upcoming iOS 16.X release. Lo and behold — iOS 16.2 beta 1 is now available to enrolled developers around the world. Those who have registered and activated the beta profile can download and install this build right away. Here’s a list of everything new in iOS 16.2 beta 1.
What’s new in iOS 16.2 beta 1
Apple Freeform app
iOS 16.2 beta 1 introduces the Freeform app. For the unfamiliar, Apple teased this productivity application during WWDC22, back in June. Think of it as a canvas to jumpstart your creative juices and plan ahead. It supports text, doodling, media and file insertion, etc. This way you can create the ultimate brainstorming thought web. Obviously, it has bugs in iOS 16.2 beta 1, such as the inability to delete boards when offline. Though, you can expect the company to fix the major ones in following beta releases, before the update launches publicly later this year.
Home upgrades
iOS 16.2 beta 1 introduces a more reliable Apple Home architecture upgrade. However, it requires all paired HomePods to be running version 16.2. If you’re running an earlier version on your HomePod(s), you won’t be able to initiate the upgrade.
Apple Music tweaks
Apple has tweaked the Lossless tag on the Now Playing screen in the Music app. Those running iOS 16.2 beta 1 will notice a more rectangular, opaque border when compared to the previous UI.
New Sleep widget
iOS 16.2 beta 1 introduces a new Lock Screen widget for monitoring information revolving around your sleep. It reflects the data stored in the Apple Health app.
We’re still in the process of digging through iOS 16.2 beta 1. We will update this article when (and if) we spot any other new features or visual changes. In the meantime, consider checking the official Release Notes — where Apple has highlighted some of the known bugs, fixes, and tweaks.