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display of various Apple devices showcasing the new beta version.
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Apple releases second betas of iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Tahoe 16.1 and more

Apple Releases Second Betas for Upcoming Software Updates

Apple has launched the second betas of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.1 for developers. The updates bring new features and support for additional languages.

  • Second betas for various OS versions
  • Includes new language support
  • New features in Apple Music
  • Changes to Calendar and Safari
  • Betas available for download now
  • Full release expected in October
  • More features coming in future updates

Apple has rolled out the second beta versions of iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Tahoe 16.1, as well as tvOS 16.1, watchOS 16.1, and visionOS 16.1. These can be downloaded from Settings > General > Software Update on compatible devices.

Apple releases second betas iOS 16.1 Beta 2

  • Live Activities API: Enhances real-time event tracking from the Lock Screen via third-party apps.
  • Apple Wallet App Deletable: Users can now remove the Wallet app, disabling related services like Apple Pay.
  • Matter Support: Introduces smart home connectivity standard for improved cross-platform device compatibility.
  • iCloud Shared Photo Library: Up to six users can share and collaborate on a separate photo library.
  • Clean Energy Charging: Optimizes charging to use cleaner energy sources, reducing carbon footprint.
  • Battery Percentage Icon Expansion: Now includes iPhone XR, 11, 12 mini, and 13 mini models.
  • Charging Indicator on Lock Screen: Displays battery percentage prominently when charging.[1][2][3]

iPadOS 16.1 Beta 2 Features

  • Resizable and Overlapping Windows: Improved multitasking for M1 iPad Air and M1 iPad Pro with Stage Manager.
  • Center App Focus: Highlights the active app without entering full-screen mode.
  • iCloud Shared Photo Library: Collaborative photo sharing feature similar to iOS 16.1.
  • Messages Enhancements: Edit sent messages within 15 minutes, undo send within 2 minutes, and mark messages as unread.
  • New Weather App: Animated backgrounds, detailed forecasts, and air quality info.[4][5]

macOS Tahoe 16.1 Beta 2 Updates

  • Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements: Stability enhancements post macOS 26.0 release.
  • AI and MCP Framework Foundation: Prepares macOS for expanded Machine Learning and third-party AI model support.
  • Image Playground Compatibility Expansion: Allows broader AI usage beyond ChatGPT.[6][7][8]

Apple Intelligence Language Expansion

  • Apple Intelligence now includes support for Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese, releasing new features like Live Translation and writing tools.
  • Full Apple Intelligence support initially launched in English; expanded support scheduled throughout 2025.[9][10][11][12]

AirPods Live Translation Enhancements

  • Live Translation now supports Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional) in iOS 16.1.
  • Requires AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, or AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation and an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 16+.
  • Features hands-free translation during conversation and supports offline use with local translation models.
  • Translation works best when both participants wear compatible AirPods; otherwise, phone screen shows translated text.[13][14][15][16]

Visual and UX Improvements

  • Liquid Glass effect has been extended to the Phone app’s keypad.
  • Apple Music introduces a swipe gesture for track changes.
  • Calendar, Safari, and Photos apps receive visual design tweaks [original article].

Beta Release Schedule

The official releases of these operating system updates are expected later in October 2025 after beta testing phases conclude.

Luca Fischer

Luca Fischer

Senior Technology Journalist

United States – New York Tech

Luca Fischer is a senior technology journalist with more than twelve years of professional experience specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics. He earned his M.S. in Computer Science from Columbia University in 2011, where he developed a strong foundation in data science and network security before transitioning into tech media. Throughout his career, Luca has been recognized for his clear, analytical approach to explaining complex technologies. His in-depth articles explore how AI innovations, privacy frameworks, and next-generation devices impact both industry and society. Luca’s work has appeared across leading digital publications, where he delivers detailed reviews, investigative reports, and feature analyses on major players such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, AMD, Intel, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Perplexity AI. Beyond writing, he mentors young journalists entering the AI-tech field and advocates for transparent, ethical technology communication. His goal is to make the future of technology understandable and responsible for everyone.

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Elena Voren

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Elena Voren is a senior journalist and Tech Section Editor with 8 years of experience focusing on AI ethics, social media impact, and consumer software. She is recognized for interviewing industry leaders and academic experts while clearly distinguishing opinion from evidence-based reporting. She earned her B.A. in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Berkeley (2016), where she studied human-computer interaction, AI, and digital behavior. Elena’s work emphasizes the societal implications of technology, ensuring readers understand both the practical and ethical dimensions of emerging tools. She leads the Tech Section at Faharas NET, supervising coverage on AI, consumer software, digital society, and privacy technologies, while maintaining rigorous editorial standards. Based in Berlin, Germany, Elena provides insightful analyses on technology trends, ethical AI deployment, and the influence of social platforms on modern life.

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Editorial Timeline

Revisions
— by Elena Voren
Add SEO improvements
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Featured image added.
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Added new relevant secondary sources
— by Kamar Mahmoud
Initial publication.

Correction Record

Accountability
— by Kamar Mahmoud
  1. - Added Live Activities API for real-time event tracking
  2. - Wallet app can now be deleted by users
  3. - Clean Energy Charging feature introduced
  4. - Battery percentage indicator dynamic and expanded to more models
  5. - Charging indicator reintroduced on Lock Screen
  6. - Copy & Paste permission alert bug fixed
  7. - Three-finger gesture recognition improved
  8. - iCloud Shared Photo Library supports shared photo libraries
  9. - Stage Manager multitasking improved on iPadOS
  10. - New Weather app added to iPadOS
  11. - AirPods Live Translation supports more languages
  12. - Expanded Apple Intelligence language support
  13. - Apple Music gains swipe gesture for track changes
  14. - Visual tweaks to Calendar, Safari, and Photos
  15. - Stability and performance improvements in macOS Tahoe 16.1
  16. - Prep for AI and machine learning expansions in macOS

FAQ

What languages are now supported?

New languages include Danish, Dutch, and Portuguese.

When will the full updates be released?

Full versions are expected later in October.

What’s new in Apple Music?

Apple Music has a new swipe gesture for track changes.