Apple Releases Updates for watchOS 9, tvOS 26 and iOS 16
Apple released several updated versions of its operating systems for watchOS 9, tvOS 16 and iOS 16 on September 12, 2022. iOS 16 is the most significant in this group; it includes a new iPhone lock screen featuring information at a glance like upcoming calendar events, battery levels, alarms, time zones, activity ring progress, and more; new Messages editing features, undo send, recover recently deleted messages, collaboration invitations and more; passkeys which replace passwords with an easier and safer sign-in method; and, Mail now allowing scheduled send and a remind me feature by selecting a date and time for the email to resurface in your mailbox.
Photo by Apple
Older operating systems will see iOS 15.7, iPadOS 15.7, and Monterey 12.6. The iPad and macOS versions bring security patches until the release of iPadOS 16.1 and macOS Ventura later this fall. The iOS 15.7 for iPhones serves two purposes; to provide security patches for older iPhones, which are unable to run iOS 16 (iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 and the original iPhone SE) and for users who do not wish to upgrade to iOS 16 yet but want security patches.
One of the new features in iOS 16 is the addition of "Security Responses and System Files" found in Settings>Software Update>Automatic Updates. Security Responses and System Files allows Apple to automatically install rapid security responses and system files for iPhone and supported accessories. Some updates require an iPhone restart to complete installation. In addition, some system files will be installed automatically even if the feature is turned off.
Supported iPhones
All iPhones from iPhone 8 and later will support iOS 16, including these models:
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
- iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XRiPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 miini, iPhone 13, 13 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 14
If you are looking to trade in your eligible device for credit toward your next purchase, you can find out the trade in value here. If your device isn’t eligible for credit, Apple will recycle it for free.
macOS Big Sur 11.7
Apple also released macOS Big Sur 11.7 for the purpose of patching security vulnerabilities in the operating system and Safari 16 for both Monterey and Big Sur. There has been no update for Catalina, which may be an indication that Apple will no longer be supporting it.
watchOS 9.1
This update includes improvements for your Apple Watch.
- Battery life extended during OutdoorWalking, Running, and Hiking Workouts with the ability to reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings on Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) and Apple Watch Ultra
- Music can download while Apple Watch is off charger using Wi-Fi or cellular
- Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard, is supported enabling a wide variety of smart home accessories to work together across ecosystems
This update also includes bug fixes for your Apple Watch.
- Voice feedback of average pace during
Outdoor Run may be incorrect - Chance of rain estimates shown in Weather app may not match estimates on iPhone in current location
- Hourly weather complication may label times as AM during PM hours
- Time duration displayed during Strength Training Workout may not advance for some users
- VoiceOver may not announce app name prior to reading notification when receiving multiple notifications
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/HT201222.
watchOS 9.0.2
This update includes improvements and bug fixes for your Apple Watch.
- Interruptions to streaming audio on Spotify
- Snooze alarm notifications continue after the alarm is deleted for AssistiveTouch users
- Incomplete syncing of Wallet and Fitness data for newly paired Apple Watch
- Audio from microphone interrupted for some Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra users
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/HT201222.
watchOS 9.0
watchos 9 brings great new ways to keep you active, healthy, and connected with Apple Watch. You have more wavs to train and measure your workouts, a completely redesigned compass app, a new app to track your medications, more powerful sleep tracking with sleep stages, and better insights and support for your heart health if you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/HT201222.
iOS 16.0.3
This update provides bug fixes and important security updates for your iPhone 8 and later including the following:
- Incoming call and app notifications may be delayed or not delivered on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Low microphone volume can occur during CarPlay phone calls on iPhone 14 models
- Camera may be slow to launch or switch between modes on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Mail crashes on launch after receiving a malformed email
The iOS 16.0.3 update can be downloaded on eligible iPhones by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213407#1603.
iOS 16.0.2
The iOS 16.0.2 update addresses bugs impacting iPhone 14 models as well as iPhone 8 and later running iOS 16, These bugs included issues which caused the camera to vibrate and shake in third-party camera apps, repeated copy and paste popups and resolved a problem causing the display to appear black during setup. The update also resolved issues on some iPhone X, XR, and iPhone 11 models whose replaced displays became unresponsive after updating to iOS 16..
This update provides bug fixes and important security updates for your iPhone including the following:
- Camera may vibrate and cause blurry photos when shooting with some third-party apps on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Display may appear completely black during device setup
- Copy and paste between apps may cause a permission prompt to appear more than expected
- VoiceOver may be unavailable after rebooting
- Addresses an issue where touch input was unresponsive on some iPhone X, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11 displays after being serviced
The iOS 16.0.2 update can be downloaded on eligible iPhones by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213407#1602.
iOS 16.0.1
This update is recommended for all iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro users and provides important bug fixes including the following:
- iMessage and FaceTime may not complete activation
- Photos may appear soft when zooming in landscape orientation on iPhone 14 Pro Max
- Enterprise single sign-on apps may fail to authenticate
The iOS 16.0.1 update can be downloaded on eligible iPhones by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213407#1601
iOS 16.0
iOS 16 brings a redesigned Lock Screen with new ways to customize and widgets for information at a glance. Link your Lock Screen to a Focus and use Focus filters to filter out distracting content in apps. Big updates to Messages let you edit or unsend a message you just sent. Visual Look Up lets you lift the subject of an image from the background and copy and paste it in apps like Mail and Messages. iOS 16 also includes new updates to Mail. Maps. Wallet. Health, News, and more.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.abole.com/kb/HT201222.
The iOS 16.0 update can be downloaded on eligible iPhones by going to Settings > General > Software Update.