Apple is moving towards the public launch of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, macOS 12 Monterey, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 later this year. To help get there, though, the company is still in the beta testing phase. As a result, the company has just issued the latest betas for a few of its most popular platforms.
Update (08/18/2021): Apple on Wednesday seeded the corresponding public betas of iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 to those in the public beta testing program. If you are already part of the program, you can update your registered devices through the Settings app –> Software Update. If you are not part of the program, you can sign up here.
The original article continues below.
On Tuesday, Apple seeded the sixth betas of iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, and tvOS 15 to developers. As is par for the course, this prerelease software should not be installed on any daily drivers. Despite being late in the beta testing process, the software is still potentially a little rough around the edges. That could cause issues with using your iPhone, or iPad, or even your Apple TV. This software is meant specifically for developers out there preparing their apps for the future public launch.
Apple seeded the fifth betas of the prerelease software just last week. The expectation is that these major updates to Apple’s operating systems will arrive before the end of September of this year.
Resource: How to install the iOS 15 beta
What’s new
iOS 15
- FaceTime sees major improvements, including SharePlay and updates to video and audio.
- Apple updates Notifications to give even more granular control, and updates the UI
- Messages gets even more collaborative with Shared With You
- Safari gets a new Tab experience
- The Photos app now supports Live Text, which can be searched for and directly interacted with
- Spotlight gets improvements, can be used to find Live Text in Photos
- AirPods Pro and AirPods Max get better Find My support
- Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos launch in Apple Music
- And much more
Must know: What’s new in iOS 15 beta 5
iPadOS 15
- Split View and a new Shelf make multitasking easier on iPadOS
- There are several new keyboard shortcuts available
- Widgets get a new size option, and the ability to place on the Home Screen
- The App Library is available
- And more
watchOS 8
- watchOS 8 includes an improved Photos app
- Sharing content in Messages is easier than ever before
- There is a new Portrait watch face, which can be interacted with using the Digital Crown
- watchOS 8 supports the App Shelf
- watchOS 8 offers more Health-related features, including better fall detection
- There are even more Workouts
- And more
Apple didn’t add a ton of new features to tvOS 15. However, the latest beta for the set-top box is available now. Apple will likely seed a corresponding public beta of eligible software in the near future.