Apple Releases Updates for iOS and iPadOS 15.6, macOS 12.5, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7

The multinational consumer electronics company released a slate of new updates for several tech products.

On Wednesday, July 20, Apple released a slew of new updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac, TV, and Apple Watch. Now, the updates iOS and iPadOS 15.6, macOS 12.5, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7 are now available for some users. Unsurprisingly, the Apple updates this week did not contain heavy features, as the company is saving that for the next version of the OSes that are most likely coming out around September.

Apple Updates for iOS and iPadOS 15.6, macOS 12.5, tvOS 15.6, and watchOS 8.7: What to Expect

Apple's updates for iOS and iPad OS 15.6 provide users the ability to pause, rewind, restart, and fast forward a live sports game on its TV app, The Verge reported. The new iOS and iPadOS 15.6 updates also fix some bugs in Settings, Mail, and Safari.

Meanwhile, macOS 12.5 also gets the same TV app update and a Safari browser bug fix. For watchOS 8.7, Apple included "improvements, bug fixes, and important security updates." Finally, for tvOS 15.6, Apple has provided "general performance and stability improvements." The new Apple updates also include several solutions to security issues.

It is most likely that these releases will be the final ones before the highly anticipated iOS 16 comes out alongside the rumored iPhone 14, CNET reported. Users who are still on their iPhone 6S, 7, or first-gen SE, these updates may be the last ones ever for these particular devices, as Apple will no longer support them on iOS 16.

iOS 16 Beta Available to Users with Compatible Phones

For some Apple users who have the iPhone 8 or any newer model, the iOS 16 beta is now available to test. Apple launched the beta on July 12, during which users could try out new features like editing and unending text messages, customizable lock screens, and cutting out photo backgrounds with just a few taps. Apple, however, has not publicly announced a release date for the iOS 16, which is believed to come out alongside the highly anticipated iPhone 14.

As per TechCrunch, Apple first announced iOS during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June, after which the company released three developer betas. But the public beta made available last week enables users to test new features without paying for the $99 developer account.

iOS 16 comes with a slew of new updates to look forward to, including a marquee feature that involves the capability of configuring a home screen with widgets. Apple has elevated customization with this update, as it enables users to pick a new photo, font style, filter, and depth effect. Users will also be able to set multiple lock screens by combining several wallpapers, styles, and widgets. With iOS 16, users can also link a lock screen to a specific Focus mode. Finally, iOS 16 offers better organization with SMS messages, as it will enable users to filter messages into different categories and up to 12 subcategories within "Transactions" and "Promotions."