Apple issues Release Candidate betas for iOS 16.1, tvOS 16.1, watchOS 9.1, iPadOS 16.1

New builds of the latest betas are available through the Apple Developer Center, or as an over-the-air update for any devicess already running the betas. Public betas generally surface a short time after their developer counterparts, and can be picked up through the Apple Beta Software Program website.

The Release Candidate betas for iOS, tvOS, watchOS, and iPadOS arrive after the respective fifth and sixth betas, which landed on October 11, October 12 for watchOS. The previous round took place on October 4th, which in turn followed the previous round from September 27.

The betas are out of version lockstep due to Apple's decision to skip iPadOS 16's release entirely in favor of 16.1 as the first public release of iPadOS. These updates will release on October 24.

Beta six of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 is build 20B79, replacing 20B5072b. The sixth tvOS 16.1 and HomePod Software Version 16.1 build is 20K6071, taking over from 20K5068a. The sixth watchOS 9.1 beta is build 20S75, replacing 20S5072a.

Apple has also seeded Release Candidate betas for iOS 15.7.1 and iPadOS 15.7.1. These updates will likely release alongside the mainline releases with similar security patches and bug fixes set for older devices unable to update to iOS 16.

Both AppleInsider and Apple itself strongly advise users don't install beta operating systems, or beta software in general, on to "mission-critical" or primary devices, as there is the chance of issues that could result in the loss of data. Testers should instead use secondary or non-essential hardware, and to make sure they have sufficient backups of their important data at all times.

Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.