Apple Releases iOS 16.4 Beta 2 for Developers: Here's All That's New

Apple started rolling out iOS 16.4 Beta 1 for developers earlier this year.

Advertisement
Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Richa Sharma | Updated: 1 March 2023 19:53 IST
Highlights
  • The iOS 16.4 Beta 2 has 5G network improvements
  • The update comes with dozens of new emojis
  • It also contains updates for Apple Music and Podcast apps

iOS 16.4 Beta 2 contains push notifications for web apps

Photo Credit: Reuters

Apple released iOS 16.4 Beta 1 to developers earlier this year in February. New emojis, Safari browser improvements, and other features were included in the update. The company had also optimised support for third-party browsers. Such apps are supposedly now capable of allowing users to add websites to their main screen. Earlier this week, the Cupertino- based tech giant released the iOS 16.4 Beta 2 for developers which enhances the new “5G Standalone” feature that was added with iOS 16.4 Beta 1, and introduces many other new features.

Tech reviewers Aaron Zollo (@zollotech) and Steve Moser (@SteveMoser) noted that the page turning effect has returned to Apple Books with this iOS 16.4 Beta 2 update, which was removed when the reworked Books app was released with iOS 16 last year.

Advertisement

Apple permitted 5G Standalone support on the iPhone for the very first time with the first iOS 16.4 Beta. However, the feature was then only available to T-Mobile customers in the United States. Apple has now also augmented 5G Standalone support to Brazilian carriers Vivo and TIM Brazil, with the latest update. Based on the iOS code, a 9to5 Mac report claimed to confirm that 5G SA will be available to Softbank customers.

A 5G network that uses dedicated hardware is referred to as 5G Standalone, whereas 5G Non-Standalone is based on LTE communications infrastructure. T-Mobile claims that its 5G SA network can reach speeds of up to 3Gbps. However, the 5G Standalone is not the same as 5G mmWave, which is only accessible in the United States.

Advertisement

With iOS 16.4, Apple is collaborating with Docomo and JCOM to enable customers in Japan to easily convert a physical SIM card to an eSIM.

There were no new indications related to Apple Classical in the Music App in the first Beta of iOS 16.4. On the other hand, the iOS 16.4 Beta 2 update includes new remarks related to Apple's new classical music app. "To listen in Apple Music Classical, you'll need to install Apple Music," a note reads.

Advertisement

Apple purchased the classical music streaming service Primephonic nearly two years ago but currently there are no indications that the app will be released anytime in the near future. It is unclear what prompted Apple to postpone the release of Apple Classical.

Also, with this beta update, the AppleCare menu in iOS settings now displays device icons.

Advertisement


Is the new expensive 10th generation iPad worth buying instead of its predecessor? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.
 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Advertisement
Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Apple Confirms End of Software Updates for 16 Devices Ahead of Release
  2. Oppo Reno 16 Pro Global Variant Listed on Geekbench With These Specs
  1. Xiaomi's Xring O3 Chip Could Use TSMC's 3nm Process, Deliver Major Efficiency Gains Over Predecessor
  2. iPhone Ultra Spotted Again via Leaked Dummy Images That Offer a Better Look at the Foldable's Design
  3. Samsung's TM Roh Reportedly Plans to Visit BOE in June Amid Galaxy S27 OLED Supply Talks
  4. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Z Flip 8, Watch 9 Reportedly Listed on US FCC Weeks Ahead of Anticipated Debut
  5. Japanese Crypto Exchange Bitbank Limits Polymarket-Related Fund Transfers
  6. Huawei FreeBuds 7i, FreeBuds SE 4 India Launch Date Announced; Colour Options, Key Features Revealed
  7. UK to Follow in Australia’s Footsteps With Social Media Ban for Children Under 16
  8. HMD C2, HMD C2P Price and Design Leak Online; Tipped to Arrive With 6,000mAh Batteries, 6.78-Inch Displays
  9. Pova 8 Pro 5G Launch Seems Imminent as Handset Appears on Google Play Console; Key Specifications Leaked
  10. WhatsApp Reportedly Begins Testing Group Voice and Video Calls for WhatsApp Web Users
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.