Apple has some hefty software updates around the corner, especially given the fact that iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5, watchOS 8.6, and tvOS 15.5 have all entered the Release Candidate phase of their development.
The updates are expected sometime this week.
Both iOS and iPadOS 15.5 are minor updates in preparation for the launch of iOS 16 in June. The most notable change perhaps will be the update to Apple Pay. Apple added Request and Send options to the Apple Cash card in the Wallet app. There will also be some changes to the iTunes Pass, previously available in the Wallet app.
Expected changes are as follows:
- Wallet now enables Apple Cash customers to send and request money from their Apple Cash card
- Apple Podcasts includes a new setting to limit episodes stored on your iPhone and automatically delete older ones
- Fixes an issue where home automation, triggered by people arriving or leaving, may fail
- Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices.
Additionally, for iPad users, iPadOS 15.5 release candidate removed the beta label of “Universal Control” feature.
Apple also seeded release candidates of WatchOS 8.6 and tvOS 15.5. Apple’s release notes for WatchOS 8.6 states the update will expand ECG functionality and irregular heart rhythm detection to users in Mexico. Developers can install watchOS 8.6 by downloading the configuration profile from the Apple Development Center. After that, the update can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on iPhone. Simply go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Per the tvOS 15.5 update, no changes have been confirmed. Developers looking to install the update can download the tvOS 15.5 profile onto the Apple TV using Xcode.
If you’ve had a chance to experiment with the release candidates, please let us know about your experience in the comments.
Via The Mac Observer and beta.apple.com