Apple today released iOS 16.4 beta 3 for registered developers, which includes new emojis, support for faster 5G speeds, and the return of an old, beloved animation.

The third beta of iOS 16.4 includes a number of features and performance enhancements ranging from 31 new emojis to a more streamlined Apple Podcasts interface. Support for 5G standalone has also been added, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 3 Gbps. However, T-Mobile is the only carrier to currently support this feature in the United States. After much backlash from users, Apple also opted to resurrect the traditional page-turn animation in the Apple Books app.

The latest beta, with build number 20E5229e, adds the ability to verify whether or not your Apple ID has been registered with the Apple Developer Program from the new “Beta Updates” tab of the Settings app. This new feature gives developers holding more than one Apple ID the option to easily switch between accounts in order to access beta software.

This change comes amid a prior announcement from Apple, which indicated that subsequent developer betas will require a paid Apple Developer account, thereby eliminating the ability to download and install developer software via a beta configuration profile. Non-developers will still have the option to test pre-release software by accessing public betas. The following statement can be found in the original release notes for the first iOS 16.4 beta:

Beginning with iOS & iPadOS 16.4 beta, members of the Apple Developer Program will see a new option to enable developer betas directly from Software Update in Settings. This new option will be automatically enabled on devices already enrolled in the program that update to the latest beta release. Your iPhone or iPad must be signed in with the same Apple ID you used to enroll in the Apple Developer Program in order to see this option in Settings. In future iOS and iPadOS releases, this new setting will be the way to enable developer betas and configuration profiles will no longer grant access.

Apple

Code found in the third beta of iOS 16.4 indicates that Apple is continuing to build a stable software foundation for its Rapid Security Response updates, which are meant to allow Apple to deliver urgent security fixes to users without the need to release large-file iOS updates. The verbiage found in the code reads “Some apps may be closing unexpectedly due to incompatibility with the latest iOS rapid security response. Removing the security response may fix this”. Rapid Security Response updates have remained exclusive to developer betas thus far. These backend changes could indicate that Apple is readying Rapid Security Response updates for public release. Another line of code reads “”Possible iOS Security Response Issue”, suggesting that there may be a way for users rollback security responses.

Further code has been uncovered in today’s beta, suggesting that Apple’s CarKey API may be dropping support for NFC technology in the future. The new string reads “car is not compatible with this iPhone/Apple Watch model”. Contactless key entry for vehicles currently operates using NFC, the same technology that enables ApplePay. This change could indicate that Apple plans to switch to a more sophisticated near-field device commutation protocol such as the Ultra Wideband (UWB) tech found in products like AirTag.

Several new Apple Watch face colors can be found in the Watch app after updating to today’s beta, though many faces are labeled “fall2022” as shown by technologist Steve Moser on Twitter. The latest beta notably omits the addition of watch face colors that match those found on the watch bands that debuted just a few hours earlier than the beta.

Last week’s beta featured key references to Apple’s long-rumored Apple Music service, dubbed “Apple Music Classical”. Today’s beta may indicate that Apple Music Classical could be nearing release as the service is now identified in the privacy policy.

Users can install the update by visiting Settings > General > Software Update >Download and Install. A public version of today’s beta is expected later this week. Apple also released beta updates across the following platforms:

• iPadOS 16.4 beta 3
• tvOS 16.4 beta 3
• watchOS 9.4 beta 3
• macOS Ventura 13.3 beta 3

We will keep this article updated with any additional changes that we find in the latest iOS 16.4 beta.