Apple has issued the release candidate (or golden master) builds of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 for users who are enrolled in the beta testing programs for iPhone and iPad system software.
Release Candidate (RC) builds are typically the final version of system software in a beta development cycle, making it probable these builds (20B79) will match the final versions released to the general public next week.
iPadOS 16.1 includes Stage Manager which is a new multitasking interface for some iPad models, along with all of the features of iOS 16 (minus lock screen customizations) including undo message sending, message editing, undo mail sending, email scheduling, iCloud Shared Photo Library, and many more smaller features.
iOS 16.1 for iPhone includes support for iCloud Shared Photo Library, Live Activities on the lock screen, and brings the battery percentage indicator to additional iPhone models. The iOS 16.1 update also presumably resolves some lingering iOS 16 problems that are experienced by some users.
Users who are enrolled in either public beta or developer beta testing programs for iOS or iPadOS can find the iOS 16.1 RC and iPadOS 16.1 RC builds available to download now from Settings > General > Software Update.
iPadOS 16.1 & iOS 16.1 Release Date: October 24
Apple also announced today that both iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 will be released to the public on October 24.
Separately, Apple also released a release candidate build of macOS Ventura.
iOS 16.1 Release Notes
Release notes included with iOS 16.1 RC are as follows:
The most recent stable builds available to the general public of iOS are iOS 16.0.3 for iPhone and iPadOS 15.7 for iPad.