iPhone and Mac users can now install iOS 16.6 and macOS Ventura 13.5. These are mostly bug-fix updates with only a few tweaks, but are still worth installing.
Apple also launched iPadOS 16.6, watchOS 9.6 and tvOS 16.6.
Apple hasn’t abandoned iOS 16 and macOS Ventura
It can be a confusing time for Apple fans. Cupertino unveiled iOS 17, macOS Sonoma and other new OSs in June, and these will bring an array of new features… when they debut this fall. They aren’t out now, and won’t be for months.
In the mean time, Apple continues to update the OSs that first debuted in 2022. There are new versions for these out on Monday, as they are the ones that virtually all iPhone, Mac and iPad users still have installed.
Apple’s release notes for iOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, iPadOS 16.6, watchOS 9.6 and tvOS 16.6 indicate that these fix some small problems with the various operating systems.
For example, the new iOS version’s release notes say, “This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users. It also fixes an issue that prevents charging with the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.”
And the watchOS 9.6 release notes say, “This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.”
The rest are equally vague.
None of these OS updates bring significant new features because these have been reserved for the major updates coming to iPhone, Mac, etc. in autumn.
For people using older devices that can’t be updated to the latest version, Apple also introduced iOS 15.7.8 and iPadOS 15.7.8 on Monday,
How to install the iOS, iPad OS, macOS and watchOS updates
iPhone or iPad users can install iOS 16.6 or iPadOS 16.6 by connecting the device to a Mac, or to a PC running iTunes. Alternatively, an over-the-air update is also possible. That’s accomplished by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update.
Anyone with a compatible Mac can download macOS Ventura 13.5 now. Go to Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, you can install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS Monterey in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
The watchOS 9.6 update can be installed directly onto an Apple Watch, as long as the wearable is connected to Wi-Fi. From the Settings app just navigate to General > Software Update. Alternatively, it can be installed from an iPhone by opening the Apple Watch app and going to My Watch > General > Software Update.
