The first public beta for iOS 16.6 has been rolled out, showcasing fresh updates and one major security feature enhancement.
As the anticipation for Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2023 mounts, the tech behemoth continues to unveil updates to its existing operating system. Recently, Apple released the first public beta for iOS 16.6, an update expected to offer incremental enhancements and one significant new feature — iMessage Contact Key Verification. This addition aims to bolster security for users who might be vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Unpacking the Beta: Why and How?
Before understanding the features introduced in this latest update, it’s important to understand why Apple releases beta versions of its software. Apple’s commitment to continually enhancing user experience often involves fixing bugs, refining features, and making updates. However, before these enhancements reach the broader public, they are first tested in the beta community. This community vets new features and improvements for performance and stability, ensuring a seamless experience when the updates eventually roll out to the larger iOS user base.
Considering the present update is the first public beta for iOS 16.6, it is not expected to be available for public deployment anytime soon.
iMessage Contact Key Verification: A Significant Addition
Despite iOS 16.6 being in the shadow of the expected unveiling of iOS 17 at WWDC 2023, it has managed to introduce a noteworthy feature aimed at enhancing user security. iMessage Contact Key Verification, originally announced in the second half of 2022 but delayed until now, serves as a protective measure for individuals particularly susceptible to cyberattacks.
This feature functions as a confirmation tool, assuring users that they are communicating with the intended recipient and not a potential malicious actor who might have intercepted the message. If a breach in Apple’s cloud servers occurs, potentially threatening the integrity of a conversation, the users involved will receive an alert. Once this feature is enabled, users can verify their own identity as well as the identity of the person they are communicating with. This is done by comparing a Contact Verification Code either in person, via FaceTime, or through another secure application.
Looking Ahead: Anticipating WWDC 2023
While iOS 16.6 and its updates are noteworthy, much of the tech world is eagerly looking forward to WWDC 2023. Here, Apple is expected to reveal iOS 17, which, along with other anticipated updates for iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, promises a whole host of new features and improvements. Until then, these incremental updates offer a taste of Apple’s commitment to enhancing its software, delivering not just new features but also ensuring the security and privacy of its users.