If and when iOS 16.8 begins beta testing, hit up the instructions below to install the latest beta yourself and try all the new tricks iOS has up its sleeves before everyone else. If Apple begins work on its 16th update to iOS 16, alongside beta testing its iOS 17 software, we might see features like Contact Key Verification for iMessage, a new security tool that popped up briefly in the first iOS 16.6 beta but omitted from future updates and missing from iOS 17. 12, 2022, when iOS 16 was first released, Apple has pushed out 14 additional iOS 16 software updates that have brought us security updates and essential upgrades like Live Activities and scroll to text fragments, as well as new features like Apple Music Sing, Freeform, Security Keys for Apple ID, and push notifications for Home Screen bookmarks.
When it does, you can try out all the upcoming new features as long as you're OK with running beta software on your iPhone. While Apple is currently focused on improving iOS 17, we may see iOS 16.8 pop up. Apple's iOS 16.6 software update for iPhone was released on July 24, with iOS 16.7 following on September 21.
