iOS 16 beta 2 improves iPhone battery icon, but should you install it?

This story is part of Focus iPhone 2022CNET’s collection of news, tips and advice on Apple’s most popular product.

Even if Apple only publishes iOS 16 — his latest update for the iPhone Operating system – nine days ago the company already released two beta versions of iOS 16.1 for users registered in its developer program.

The first iOS 16.1 beta brought developer tools for the new Dynamic Island and a Clean Energy Charging function. The second beta adds fixes for pairing Regardless of accessories and copy and paste, but the biggest news is a whole new look for the reintroduced battery percentage icon.

faced with Criticism of the percentage design of the battery icon in iOS 16, Apple has given in to some of its users’ demands. With the new beta, the battery gauge icon in iOS 16 with the added battery percentage now goes blank as the battery level decreases. In the current iOS 16 stable version, the battery icon with the numeric percentage added will show as full until it reaches 20% and turns red.

Even if you really want this new battery percentage theme, should you download and install iOS 16.1 beta 2? And how do you do that?

Although it is easy to download and install iOS 16.1 are developer beta versions are not intended for general use, mainly because they might have unfinished features and issues that might make iPhone difficult to use. Certain iPhone apps may not yet fully work with iOS 16.1. These early betas are intended for developers to help them keep their apps up to date while providing early access to the latest features.

in summary, You probably shouldn’t install the developer beta on your primary iPhone. If you want to get iOS 16.1 really early, try finding a replacement iPhone that’s new enough (iPhone 8 or later) to work with iOS 16.1 instead. For those who still want to dive in, we’ll show you how to install the iOS 16.1 developer version and what to do in case you want to go back to a stable version of iOS 16.

If you want to learn more about iOS 16, check out all the new features you should know, including some cool hidden features and some others not so cool settings.

What you should know before downloading iOS 16.1 developer beta

Since the iOS 16.1 developer beta is an early pre-release, the software may have bugs and other issues.

Again, If you’re thinking of downloading iOS 16.1, do so on a backup or secondary phone if available. The iOS 16.1 developer beta issues could freeze your iPhone and make it difficult to use, disable phone calls or text messages, or make it extremely laggy. However, if you only have your main phone or tablet available, make sure, that Back up your iPhone on iOS 16 before updating to iOS 16.1. This way you have the option to go back to iOS 16 if there are too many problems with the new operating system.

Also, you must have one iPhone 8 or later running iOS 16.1. iOS 16 and its updates are not supported on iPhone SE (2016), iPhone 6S, “iPhone” 6S Plus, “iPhone” 7 or “iPhone” 7 Plus and earlier.

To download iOS 16.1 Developer Beta 2, you must be enrolled in the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year. If you don’t want the developer’s latest beta, you can join the Apple Beta Software program and download the public beta for free (currently iOS 16, but will be iOS 16.1 soon).

How to enroll in the Apple Developer Program

The first step to get iOS 16.1 Developer Beta 2 on your iPhone or iPad is to enroll in the Apple Developer Program if you are not already a member. If you’re using your iPhone or iPad, here’s how you can sign in:

1. Download the Apple Developer app from the App Store.

2. Start the app, go to Account and type Sign up now.

3. Sign in with your Apple ID credentials.

4. Read through the various benefits and instructions, enter your personal information and scan your ID to verify your identity.

5. Once this information has been submitted, you will need to select your company (in most cases an individual) and agree to the program license agreement.

6. Finally, you pay the Apple Developer membership fee (using Apple Pay), which is $99 (about £80 or AU$140) per year.

After successfully completing the payment, you will be redirected to your account page in the Apple Developer app. Here you can confirm that you are now registered and you can also check the expiry date of your membership next year.

Install iOS 16.1 beta 2 on your iPhone with an over-the-air update

The easiest way to download the iOS 16.1 developer beta 2 is an over-the-air update – just like you would update to any other new software version on your device. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Apple Developer Program downloads page on your iPhone or iPad, tap install profile for iOS 16.1 Beta 2 and Hit To allow.

2. Next, open the Settings app and tap Profile downloaded and hit To install top right when it appears. Enter your passcode when prompted, then tap To install two more times. Your phone needs to be restarted.

3. Once your phone boots up, plug it into power, make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi, and go to settings > General > software update. If you don’t see an available update right away, wait a few minutes and try again.

4. Finally strike Download and install > To install and enter your passcode to update your device.

After your phone restarts, you should have access to the latest iOS 16.1 Developer Beta 2.

Download the iOS 16.1 developer beta using your Mac

Over-the-air updates require a certain amount of disk space, and if you don’t have that available, using your computer is really the only way to update to iOS 16.1 beta 2 without manually freeing up disk space.

1. Go to the Apple Developer Program download page on your Mac, find iOS 16.1 Beta 2 and click Download recovery images.

2. Download the iOS beta software recovery image for your specific device.

3. Next, connect your device to your computer and enter or click your device passcode Trust this computer when prompted.

4. Open Finder and click on your device in the sidebar below Locations.

5. Generally, next to Software, you will see the latest software running on your device.

6. Hold down the possibility button, click Check for To update and select the iOS 16.1 beta 2 software recovery image you just downloaded from the Apple developer site.

The iOS 16 Beta 2 software will be installed on your device. Wait a few minutes and when your phone restarts, you should have access to the latest version of iOS 16.1.

If you just want to run regular iOS 16, So you can download it now. And after you’ve done that Here are three things to check with the new iPhone OS.