Wondering when will iOS 16 be released? Ponder no more because it is official; Apple will release the final version of iOS 16 to eligible iPhone users on Monday, September 12.
Apple specified the release date for iOS 16 during their recent iPhone 14 unveiling, but you certainly don’t need to order that iPhone to get the latest system software on your device, you just need to make sure that your iPhone is compatible with iOS 16.
Typically Apple will release software updates in the morning for their Cupertino California headquarters, so it’s reasonable to expect the update somewhere around 10 AM PDT on the 12th of September.
iOS 16 features a redesigned and customizable lock screen for iPhone, which allows for widgets that display information ranging from weather to stock prices, and customizable fonts for the clock. Focus mode also gains new features and is tied to different lock screens, to make it easy to determine which Focus mode is active. iMessages can now be edited after they are sent as well. Mail app gets improvements like the ability to schedule the sending of emails, and the ability to unsend an email. Safari gains a tab grouping feature. And there are many other additional features and changes in iOS 16, some of which are delayed until after the release like iCloud Photo Library.
Given the imminent release, it’s very likely the final version released on Monday will match the iOS 16 GM build (20A362) that was issued after the September 7 Apple Event.
Because the GM build released to beta testers likely matches the final version, if you’re impatient you can install the iOS 16 beta on your iPhone and get the GM version right now.
Whether you wait for the final version to be released to the public on Monday September 12 or you get the GM build now onto your supported iPhone, is entirely up to you. Note that by installing a public beta you will have a beta profile on your device, meaning you’ll get future beta system software updates as well, which is typically inadvisable to most users.
While iOS 16 for iPhone will be available shortly, iPadOS 16 for iPad will be released sometime in October, according to Apple.