Everything New in iOS 16 Beta 4 For Lock Screen, iMessage, CarPlay, and More - MacRumors
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Everything New in iOS 16 Beta 4 For Lock Screen, iMessage, CarPlay, and More

Apple today seeded the fourth beta of iOS 16 to developers for testing. The latest beta contains a handful of new features and changes involving the Messages app, Home app, Mail app, Lock Screen notifications, CarPlay, and more.


iOS 16 is currently in beta for developers and members of Apple's free public beta testing program, and the software update will be released for all users with an iPhone 8 or newer in September. A second public beta of iOS 16 that corresponds with today's fourth developer beta is also now available.

We've outlined notable new features and changes in iOS 16 beta 4 below. Thanks to Steve Moser and @AppleSWUpdates for their contributions.

iMessage Edit/Undo Send Changes

iPhone 13 Editable Messages Feature
You can now tap on the small "Edited" label below an edited iMessage bubble to view the original version of the message and any other previous edits. In addition, iMessages can now only be edited a total of five times before the "Edit" option disappears.

While there's still a 15-minute window for editing an iMessage, Apple has reduced the time limit for unsending an iMessage to two minutes after it is delivered.

Live Activities API

ios 16 live activities feature
Apple has released ActivityKit in beta, allowing developers to begin testing the Live Activities feature on the Lock Screen in their apps on the iOS 16 beta. For now, apps that implement the feature will only be available via TestFlight.

Live Activities will provide real-time glanceable information on the Lock Screen. For example, a sports app might allow the user to start a Live Activity for a live sports game. In that scenario, the Live Activity would appear on the Lock Screen for the duration of the game and offer the latest updates about the game at a glance.

Apple says Live Activities will not be included in the initial publicly released version of iOS 16, with the feature to be enabled in an update later this year — perhaps iOS 16.1. At that time, apps offering Live Activities will become available in the App Store.

New Wallpapers in Home App

iOS 16 Beta 4 Wallpaper Feature
The fourth beta of iOS 16 adds new Wildflowers and Architectural wallpapers to choose from in the Home app, alongside existing wallpapers.

New Time Limits for Undo Send in Mail

iOS 16 Beta 4 Undo Send Feature
In the Mail app on iOS 16, it is briefly possible to unsend an email in the Mail app. In the first three betas, the time limit for unsending an email was 10 seconds, but the fourth beta provides users with options of 10, 20, or 30 seconds.

Lock Screen Notification Settings

iOS 16 Beta 4 Notifications Feature
Apple has enhanced the look of Lock Screen notification options in the Settings app. In the fourth beta of iOS 16, Apple now includes images that visualize the Count, Sack, and List options for how Lock Screen notifications are displayed.

New Lock Screen Customization Interface

Apple has revamped the interface when customizing the Lock Screen, with options for colors, gradients, photos, and more at the bottom.

iOS 16 Beta 4 Lock Screen Customizer

Bolder Music Player on Lock Screen

Apple has updated the music player on the Lock Screen with bolder elements.

iOS 16 Beta 4 Music Player

New Wallpapers for CarPlay

A static version of the iOS 16 wallpaper for the iPhone is now available for CarPlay, with multi-colored, blue, and gray options to choose from.

Other Changes

If you spot any other changes, let us know in the comments section.

Related Forum: iOS 16

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Top Rated Comments

MrGimper Avatar
50 months ago
The fact that iPadOS doesn’t have the same lock screen customisation is somewhat backwards.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bLackjackj Avatar
50 months ago

BETA 4 HAS FINALLY BROUGHT BACK THE FEATURE OF TOGGLING DND FROM THE LOCKSCREEN BY CLICKING THE DND ICON. WHY APPLE EVEN REMOVED THIS FROM THE FIRST PLACE COMPLETELY CONFUSES ME.
1. Why are you YELLING?

2. This is BETA software & you know this. Why does it confuse you? Features will be added, removed, updated, downgraded, fixed..etc before release. You signed up to be a free Apple tester, so why are you complaining?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
50 months ago

The fact that iPadOS doesn’t have the same lock screen customisation is somewhat backwards.
I get you I thought this. But I have since thought maybe it’s just that on an iPad we don’t generally really use the Lock Screen, whereas the iPhone is with us all the time and we glance at it a lot more.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
-BigMac- Avatar
50 months ago

So why still no option to delete a imessage?
It happens alot you send the wrong message to the wrong person!
Editing that message is not an option as they can still read the original.
Are you even reading the article/past beta articles before commenting?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
srbNYC Avatar
50 months ago

OH. MY. GOD.
ITS BACK.
EVERYONE, HOLD THEIR PANTS.

BETA 4 HAS FINALLY BROUGHT BACK THE FEATURE OF TOGGLING DND FROM THE LOCKSCREEN BY CLICKING THE DND ICON. WHY APPLE EVEN REMOVED THIS FROM THE FIRST PLACE COMPLETELY CONFUSES ME.
I welcome its return but NOT SURE I'M AS EXCITED AS YOU ARE ABOUT IT.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
50 months ago

So why still no option to delete a imessage?
It happens alot you send the wrong message to the wrong person!
Editing that message is not an option as they can still read the original.
From the article: “…Apple has reduced the time limit for unsending an iMessage to two minutes after it is delivered.” This tells me one can still delete iMessages sent in error, no?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)