Apple has released the fifth beta versions of iOS 16 for iPhone, and iPadOS 16 for iPad.
The new beta build is available to download right now for developer users participating in the beta testing program, while the same build is usually released soon after for public beta users.
All active beta testers can download iOS 16 beta 5 and iPadOS 16 beta 5 from their enrolled devices, by going to the Settings app > General > Software Update.
iOS 16 includes a variety of new features for iPhone, including an all new customizable lock screen with widgets, an ability to edit sent messages, email scheduling and unsending capabilities, new Focus mode features, new iCloud Photo Library features, and many more small refinements and changes.
iPadOS 16 for iPad includes the same core features as iOS 16 but without the ability to customize the lock screen (gotta save something for iPadOS 17 I suppose), and iPadOS 16 also includes new multitasking capabilities with the Stage Manager feature, though Stage Manager is limited to M1 iPad models.
Any user can run beta system software, but because of the nature of beta releases it’s only recommended for advanced users who have a tolerance to buggy system software. If you are interested in checking out the betas, installing the iOS 16 public beta on iPhone or iPadOS 16 public beta on iPad is the way to go, preferably on a secondary device, and only after you backup your stuff.
If you’re simply wondering whether or not your device will be able to run the new system software releases, either as a beta or as final builds when they become available, check out the iOS 16 compatibility list and the iPadOS 16 compatibility list.
According to Apple, the final versions of iOS 16 for iPhone and iPadOS 16 for iPad will be available sometime this fall.
Additionally, a new macOS Ventura beta 5 release is also available for Mac beta testers.