Apple launched the iOS 16.3 beta 2 to public beta testers on Wednesday, a few day after the software program was launched to builders. The primary beta appeared shortly after the discharge of iOS 16.2. Each iOS 16.3 betas introduced a couple of new options to testers’ iPhones.

As all the time, we advocate downloading a beta solely on one thing apart from your main gadget. Since these are beta variations of iOS 16.3, the options may be buggy and your gadget’s battery life could also be shortened, so it is best to maintain betas on a secondary gadget.
In the event you’re a public beta tester, this is what’s new within the iOS 16.3 beta software program. Notice that the beta remains to be ongoing, so these seemingly will not be the one new options to land in your iPhone when iOS 16.3 is launched. There is no phrase on the general public launch for iOS 16.3 simply but.
New methods to make use of Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc
Emergency SOS through satellite tv for pc was launched at Apple’s 2022 occasion in September. The brand new beta software program brings new methods to make use of the service to your iPhone.
In iOS 16.3 beta 2, the Name with Maintain choice has been changed with Name with Maintain and Launch. In the event you allow Name with Maintain and Launch, you’ll be able to maintain the aspect button and a quantity button to provoke a countdown and an alarm. After the countdown, you launch the buttons and your iPhone will name emergency providers by itself. Earlier than with Name with Maintain, urgent the aspect button and a quantity button would first convey up the Emergency SOS name slider. In the event you continued to carry the buttons, a countdown began and an alarm would go off. After the countdown ended, your cellphone would make an emergency name.
There’s additionally an choice to Name Quietly in Emergency SOS. By enabling this feature, while you attempt to make an emergency SOS name, your cellphone will not begin flashing or making an alarm sound.
Apple Maps helps you discover close by parking choices

E-book a parking spot earlier than you allow your own home so you are not driving round searching for a spot.
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
In the event you use Apple Maps to get instructions to a location, now you can discover close by parking inside Maps. When wanting up a spot to go — on this case, Cincinnati’s Music Corridor — you’ll be able to faucet Extra (…) and faucet Parking. This opens SpotHero, a web based service that helps you discover, e-book and pay for a parking spot at a close-by storage or parking zone. It’s also possible to reserve a spot by SpotHero. This function is out there solely in choose cities, although.
Safety keys come to Apple ID
With the beta software program, customers will have the ability to use third-party safety keys as an alternative of two-factor authentication for his or her Apple ID.
Safety keys are lots like keys to your own home. You continue to use passwords, however this further layer of safety may help shield you towards phishing scams and hackers.
“{Hardware} safety keys are very, very safe,” Diya Jolly, chief product officer of authentication service firm Okta, informed CNET’s Stephen Shankland.

Safety keys add extra safety to your gadget.
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
Apple’s safety keys function solely works with FIDO Alliance-certified safety keys.
New HomePod Handoff prompts
Beta testers who’ve an Apple HomePod will probably be proven new messages when attempting to make use of Handoff to switch music, podcasts or cellphone calls over to the speaker. The messages additional clarify how Handoff works together with your HomePod.
One message instructs you to convey your iPhone nearer to the HomePod to view controls or to switch your audio over to the HomePod. One other message says you’ll be able to convey your iPhone nearer to your HomePod once more later to view those self same controls or to switch music.
These are the foremost new options beta testers will see within the iOS 16.3 beta. That does not imply these are the one options coming to the following iOS replace. Apple will seemingly add extra options earlier than the discharge of iOS 16.3.
For extra iOS 16 information, try the brand new options in iOS 16.2 and iOS 16.1. Here is signal as much as check Apple’s iOS beta software program, too.