Apple releases iOS 16.5 with new sports and Siri features, critical fixes for zero-day flaws

After about a month and a half of testing, Apple has released iOS 16.5 and iPadOS 16.5, which should be the last iOS 16 update before the first beta of iOS 17 arrives at WWDC in June. Like iOS 16.4, it is a small update with few new features as Apple is focused on delivering new features in iOS 17 this fall.

iOS 16.5: New features

Here are the most important new features of iOS 16.5:

Apple News Sports tab: When you launch the Apple News app in iOS 16.5, you’ll see a new Sports tab at the bottom of the screen. It replaces the dedicated Research tab, which is now part of the Tracking tab. In iOS 16.4 and earlier, My Sports can be found under the For You section on the Today screen.

Siri Screen Recording: You will be able to start a screen recording by saying “Hey Siri, start a screen recording”. Similarly, you can stop recording with “Hey Siri, stop screen recording”.

Lock screen wallpaper: In addition to the Apple Watch face and band, Apple has released a new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the lock screen.

iOS 16.5: release notes

This update includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

• A new Pride Celebration wallpaper for the lock screen to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture
• Apple News’ Sports tab provides easy access to stories, scores, standings and more for the teams and leagues you follow
• The My Sports scorecard and schedule in Apple News takes you directly to games pages where you can find additional details about specific games
• Fixes an issue where Spotlight may become unresponsive
• Fixes an issue where Podcasts in CarPlay may not load content
• Fixes an issue where Screen Time settings may reset or not sync across all devices

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices.

iOS 16.5: security fixes

iOS 16.5 includes around 40 security updates to all aspects of the system, from the Weather app to the cellular modem. Here are the most critical fixes that have been released:

Cellular

• Available for: iPhone 8 and iPhone X
• Impact: A remote attacker can cause the execution of arbitrary code
• Description: The issue was addressed with improved limit checks.
• CVE-2023-32419: Amat Cama by Vigilant Labs

ImageIO

• Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
• Impact: Processing an image may lead to the execution of arbitrary code
• Description: A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking.
• CVE-2023-32384: Meysam Firouzi @R00tkitsmm works with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative

Core

• Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
• Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
• Description: A type confusion issue has been resolved with improved checks.
• CVE-2023-27930: Jamf 08Tc3wBB

Core

• Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
• Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
• Description: A use-after-free issue was addressed with better memory management.
• CVE-2023-32398: Adam Doupé of ASU SEFCOM

Telephony

• Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
• Impact: A remote attacker may be able to cause the unexpected termination of an application or the execution of arbitrary code
• Description: A use-after-free issue was addressed with better memory management.
• CVE-2023-32412: Ivan Fratric of Google Project Zero

Additionally, the update fixes three WebKit flaws that have been actively exploited, two of which were previously fixed in the iOS 16.4.1(a) Rapid Security Response update.

iOS 16.5: how to install

To install iOS 16.5.iPadOS 16.5 on your iPhone or iPad, head to the Settings app, tap GeneralSO Software update. Then press the Download and install and follow the prompts.

iOS 16.6: how to install the public beta

We expect Apple to release iOS 16.6 beta soon. If you want to be among the first to test it out, the process for installing a beta has changed in iOS 16.4. Here’s how the new process works:

1. Click Register on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
2. Log in to the beta software program.
3. Click on Enroll your iOS device.
4. Open the Settings app, tap GeneralSO Software update.
5. In the Beta updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.

It may take a few moments after signing up for the beta option to appear in Software update.

iOS 16.6: How to get the developer beta

You will need to be registered as an Apple Developer. Joining the Apple Developer Program costs $99 per year.

1. Sign up for the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com.
2. Open the Settings app, tap GeneralSO Software update.
3. In the Beta updates section, select the iOS Developer Beta.

Registered developers can choose to get the public beta instead by selecting iOS Public Beta in the software update screen. It may take a while after signing up as a developer for the option to appear in Software Updates.

Some developers have an Apple ID registered for developer access that is different from the Apple ID associated with their personal Apple account and data. To use a different Apple ID for beta access than the one used in the rest of iOS, open Settings > General > Software update > Beta updates and select the Apple ID at the bottom of the screen.

iOS 16.6: Risks and precautions

First of all, note that betas are test versions of upcoming software. They are by definition unfinished, and while they should include most or all of the features of the finished product, there will be cosmetic differences and, inevitably, a few glitches and glitches that will need to be ironed out. Glitches and glitches are why Apple bothers to test iOS in the first place.

In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. In particular, don’t expect existing apps (including ones you can rely on) to work flawlessly with the new version. In extreme cases, you may even find that your device is beta-locked and cannot be used until the next beta comes along and hopefully fixes the problem. It is not uncommon for early beta software to also have issues such as excessive battery drain.

The closer we get to the final launch and iOS release, the more refined and comprehensive we can expect the available betas to be. The counterbalance to that, of course, is that there’s less time left to wait for the official launch, so you won’t gain as much by installing a beta.

Assuming you decide to go ahead, we can’t stress enough the importance of backing up your iPhone before installing a beta version of iOS, or better yet, using a secondary device rather than your Primary iPhone. You won’t lose everything if something goes wrong while installing the beta, and you can roll back to the latest version if you find you don’t like the new software after all, or it’s too buggy .