Apple releases Beta 4 developer testing for iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2 and watchOS 9.2

Apple has moved to the fourth round of beta testing for its operating systems, with new developer versions of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2 and watchOS 9.2 now available for download.

The new beta versions are available from the Apple Developer Center for developers who sign up for Apple's beta program, or through over-the-air updates to hardware already running beta software. Public beta versions typically appear shortly after developer versions and are available for download through the Apple Beta Software Program website.

Beta 4 replaced Beta 3, which landed on November 15, which in turn replaced a second build that Apple made available to developers on November 8. Apple released the first developer beta of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2 and watchOS 9.2 on October 25.

The build number for the fourth iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 beta is 20C5058d, replacing the third build number 20C5049e. The build number for the fourth beta of watchOS 9.2 is 20S5357b, replacing the previous 20S5348d. tvOS 16.2 and the fourth HomePod software version 16.2 beta build number is 20K5357b, which is higher than the third release, 20K5348d.

Arguably the biggest change found in the iOS 16.2 beta is the addition of Freeform, a cross-platform collaboration tool designed for collective brainstorming across Apple devices.

PCSofter and Apple strongly advise users not to install the beta OS, or beta software in general, on "mission critical" or primary devices because of the potential for problems that could lead to data loss. Testers should use secondary or non-essential hardware and make sure they have adequate backups of their important data at all times.