We're likely less than a month away from the launch of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, which means beta testing will soon be wrapping up. Apple is now providing weekly beta updates, seeding out the sixth beta today.
As we approach the end of the beta testing period, updates are getting smaller with Apple focusing on crucial refinements and polish, but there are still a few changes in the latest beta worth highlighting.
Messages App
In the Messages app, you can now long press on the "+" button to bring up the photo picker rather than tapping and having to choose the Photos option from the list.
Phone App
In an earlier beta, Apple moved the red end call button in the Phone app from the bottom middle of the interface to the bottom right. Given that people are so used to tapping in the middle, this was not a popular change.
In beta 6, Apple moved the end call button back to the middle, returning it to where it is located in iOS 16 and earlier.
Mood Tracking
Apple has further tweaked the animations that are used for the moods in the mood tracking feature. The rings around each mood now animate quicker around each shape, and there are more rings.
Photos Splash Screen
There's a new splash screen when you first open the Photos app, and it lets you know about the new features.
Display & Brightness
In the Display & Brightness section of the Settings app, the wallpaper icon has been updated to an iOS 17 wallpaper.
More iOS 17 Beta 6 Features
Know of a feature that we left out in this list? Let us know in the comments below.
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by Juli Clover
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do.
The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up.
Upgraded Architecture
The next-generation...
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Apple needs new software designers. This is ridiculous.
Example: the long-press on + to immediately go to the photo picker.
STUPID. Not intuitive at all, even in the slightest.
Most people send PHOTOS in their texts more than they use stickers, avatars, location data and other features.
So rather than make a PHOTO button front and center and easily accessible, they expect you to think of long-pressing a simple button in order to introduce the shortcut.
Who thinks that way? Nobody. No one. Not a single person would think, intuitively, to hold down + as a fast way to bring up photos.
Ridiculous. I’m so tired of having to use Google or YouTube to search how to perform simple functions that a 3-year old used to be able to figure out with iOS. It’s like nothing matters anymore.
Apple needs new software designers. This is ridiculous.
Example: the long-press on + to immediately go to the photo picker.
STUPID. Not intuitive at all, even in the slightest.
Most people send PHOTOS in their texts more than they use stickers, avatars, location data and other features.
So rather than make a PHOTO button front and center and easily accessible, they expect you to think of long-pressing a simple button in order to introduce the shortcut.
Who thinks that way? Nobody. No one. Not a single person would think, intuitively, to hold down + as a fast way to bring up photos.
Ridiculous. I’m so tired of having to use Google or YouTube to search how to perform simple functions that a 3-year old used to be able to figure out with iOS. It’s like nothing matters anymore.
Well let us know when you apply and get the job to make the design decisions for them.
