Forget iOS 14.5 — Apple's already released iOS 14.6 beta

Forget iOS fourteen.5 — Apple's already released iOS 14.6 beta

(Prototype credit: Tom'due south Guide)

Apple's been difficult at piece of work on iOS 14.five, an update that delivers a wide assortment of new features to iPhones, with that update slated to drop next week in advance of the AirTag key finders launch. But that'due south non the only iOS update Apple has upwardly its sleeve.

This past calendar week, Apple released iOS fourteen.vi to developers, then followed up a day later with a public beta of the iOS 14.6 that anyone can download — provided they've signed up for the iOS beta program with Apple.

Here's when to look iOS 14.5
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It's unclear exactly what new features iOS fourteen.vi brings to the table, but i alter is immediate right abroad. If you lot're already testing an iOS beta, you tin go on to work with that release candidate or jump to the newer beta that's available.

That'southward a pretty big deal. It allows iPhone users testing out the beta to decide whether to install a new version instead of having an updates show up automatically. The move volition likely encourage more people to try out Apple tree's public betas, since they tin stick with a version that works for them instead of downloading a new update that could bring show-stopping bugs.

If you're already in the iOS beta program to test iOS 14.5, you can see the furnishings of this new approach. Launch the Settings App, tap General, and select Software Update. At the top of the screen, yous'll meet your current iOS 14.5 beta status. Below that, at the lesser of the screen, a new line shows yous where to access the iOS 14.6 beta.

To sign up for Apple's beta plan, get to beta software web folio using the device on which y'all want to install any beta software. You can sign up using your Apple ID and follow the instructions to get the latest iOS beta.

iOS xiv.5 adds support for AirTag among other features like letting you unlock your phone with your Apple tree Sentinel. You'll also get new Siri vox options and changes to the Maps, Podcasts, News and Reminders apps.

Every bit noteworthy equally those additions are for a mid-release cycle update, the primary event comes later this year when iOS 15 debuts. That's the next major release for Apple's iPhone software, and nosotros're expecting to encounter a preview at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.

Brittany Vincent has been roofing video games and tech for over thirteen years for publications including Tom'south Guide, MTV, Rolling Rock, CNN, Pop Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She's as well appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the side by side great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.