Apple today sent the fourth beta of iOS 16 to developers for testing. The latest beta includes a handful of new features and changes related to the Messages app, Home app, Mail app, Lock Screen notifications, CarPlay, and more.
iOS 16 is currently in beta for developers and members of Apple’s free public beta testing program, and the software update will be released in September for all users with an iPhone 8 or later. A second public beta of iOS 16, which corresponds to today’s fourth developer beta, is likely to be released next week.
We’ve outlined notable new features and changes in iOS 16 beta 4 below. Thanks to Steve Moser and @AppleSWUpdates for their contributions.
iMessage Changes/Undo Sending Changes
You can now tap the small “Edited” label under an edited iMessage balloon to see the original version of the message and any other previous edits. In addition, iMessages can now only be edited a total of five times before the “Edit” option disappears.
While there’s still a 15-minute window to edit an iMessage, Apple has reduced the unsend time limit for an iMessage to two minutes after it’s delivered.
Live Activity API
Apple has released ActivityKit in beta, allowing developers to test the Live Activities feature on the lock screen in their apps in the iOS 16 beta. For now, apps that implement the feature are only available through TestFlight.
Live Activities provide real-time, at-a-glance information on the lock screen. For example, a sports app allows the user to start a live activity for a live sports match. In that scenario, the Live Activity would appear on the lock screen throughout the game and provide the latest updates about the game at a glance.
Apple says Live Activities won’t be included in the first publicly released version of iOS 16, with the feature being enabled in an update later this year — perhaps iOS 16.1. At that time, apps with Live Activities will become available in the App Store.
New wallpapers in the Home app
The fourth beta of iOS 16 adds new Wildflowers and Architectural wallpapers to choose from in the Home app, in addition to existing wallpapers.
New unsend time limits in email
In the Mail app on iOS 16, it is briefly possible to undo an email in the Mail app. In the first three betas, the time limit for undoing an email was 10 seconds, but the fourth beta offers users options of 10, 20, or 30 seconds.
Lock screen notification settings
Apple has improved the appearance of the lock screen notification options in the Settings app. In the fourth beta of iOS 16, Apple now includes images that visualize the Count, Sack, and List options for how Lock Screen notifications are displayed.
New interface for customizing the lock screen
Apple has revamped the interface when customizing the lock screen, with options for colors, gradients, photos, and more at the bottom.
Bold Music Player on Lock Screen
Apple has updated the music player on the lock screen with more powerful elements.
New backgrounds for CarPlay
A static version of the iOS 16 wallpaper for iPhone is now available for CarPlay, with multi-colored, blue, and gray options to choose from.
Other changes
If you see any other changes, let us know in the comments section.
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