Apple to Release iOS 16 and watchOS 9 on September 12

by

Apple today announced that iOS 16 and watchOS 9 will be available to all users with compatible iPhone and Apple Watch models on Monday, September 12.

iOS 16 Customizable Lock Screen
iOS 16 was first previewed by Apple in June, and over the last several months, it has undergone beta testing with app developers and members of the public beta program. iOS 16 is a significant release, with major features including an entirely redesigned and customizable Lock Screen, the ability to temporarily edit iMessages, and much more.

The new Lock Screen allows customers to customize various visual elements to create their perfect Lock Screen. Customers can choose different fonts and colors for the clock, add widgets, add new wallpapers with depth effects, and more.

ios 16 lock screen customization
Besides the newly redesigned Lock Screen, Apple has also brought highly requested features to the Messages app. Users in iOS 16 can now edit messages up to 15 minutes after they've been sent and can unsend a message up to 2 minutes after they may have accidentally sent it. Improvements to SharePlay and collaboration within Messages are also a part of iOS 16.

iMessage
In other core apps such as Mail and Safari, Apple is also improving features like Spotlight search and adding new ones like undo and schedule send for emails, Shared Tab Groups, Safari Passkeys, and more. Apple Maps is also gaining noteworthy features, including multi-stop routing and transit card support.

Unlike in previous years, Apple is not releasing iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 simultaneously. While iOS 16 will be available to ‌iPhone‌ users on Tuesday, September 13, iPadOS 16 will be available later this fall. iOS 16 is compatible with the following iPhones, but some features may require newer models:

  • ‌iPhone‌ 13
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 mini
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro
  • ‌iPhone‌ 13 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • ‌iPhone‌ 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11
  • ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS Max
  • ‌iPhone‌ XR
  • ‌iPhone‌ X
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus
  • ‌iPhone‌ SE (2nd generation and later)

watchOS 9 is compatible with the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer.

For a complete rundown of every new feature and change coming part of iOS 16, be sure to read our comprehensive roundup.

Tag: September 2022 Apple Event
Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

When Is iPhone 17 Coming Out?

Thursday July 24, 2025 9:11 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 series is expected to debut in September 2025. This release follows Apple's recent trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. To unveil the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple is expected to hold its annual iPhone announcement event during the week of September 8, 2025, with September 9 or 10 emerging as the most likely...
Read Full Article
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 16 New Features

Saturday July 26, 2025 5:50 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max should launch in late September, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as of July 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14...
Read Full Article • 209 comments
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Tipster: iPhone 17 Pro to Feature 8x Zoom, Pro Camera App, and More

Sunday July 27, 2025 7:35 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro models will have several new camera-related features, according to an anonymous tipster who contacted MacRumors today. The tipster claimed to be familiar with an iPhone 17 Pro commercial that is allegedly being produced by a film company that has publicly listed Apple as one of its clients. MacRumors has not independently confirmed any of the information shared ...
Read Full Article • 236 comments
Apple Partridge Creek

Apple Store in Michigan Permanently Closing Next Month

Saturday July 26, 2025 1:51 pm PDT by
Earlier this month, MacRumors was first to report that Apple was planning to permanently close its Partridge Creek store, just outside of Detroit, Michigan, and now the company has announced a closure date for the location. Apple Partridge Creek Apple Partridge Creek's final day of business will be Saturday, August 16, with the store set to close for good at 8 p.m. local time that day. All of ...
Read Full Article • 54 comments
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Ultra 3: What to Expect

Thursday July 24, 2025 7:08 am PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 is nearly over, and a handful of new features and changes have been rumored for the device. Below, we recap what to expect from the Apple Watch Ultra 3:Satellite connectivity for sending and receiving text messages when Wi-Fi and cellular coverage is unavailable 5G support, up from LTE on the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Likely a wide-angle OLED display that ...
Read Full Article
iOS 18

Apple Shares iOS 18.6 Release Notes

Thursday July 24, 2025 6:33 am PDT by
While the focus is now on iOS 26, there is still an iOS 18.6 update incoming. As noted by Aaron Zollo, Apple on Wednesday re-labeled iOS 18.6 Beta 4 as simply iOS 18.6, meaning that it is the Release Candidate version. This change effectively confirms that the update will be released to the public next week. Alongside the new label, Apple shared release notes for iOS 18.6, which is a...
Read Full Article • 10 comments
iPhone 17 Colors

All 15 New iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Colors Leaked

Friday July 25, 2025 6:20 am PDT by
We may finally have a definitive list of all color options for the iPhone 17 series, ahead of the devices launching in September. MacRumors concept In a Macworld report this month, Filipe Espósito said he obtained an "internal document" that allegedly reveals all of the color options for the upcoming iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. The report...
Read Full Article
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching in Two Months With These 16 New Features

Tuesday July 22, 2025 5:00 pm PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are less than two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models, as of July 2025:Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models have a titanium frame, and the iPhone X through iPhone 14...
Read Full Article

Top Rated Comments

theapplehead Avatar
theapplehead
38 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/ios-16-to-launch-september-12/')


While iOS 16 will be available to iPhone users on Tuesday, September 13,

Article Link: iOS 16 to Launch on September 12, Featuring Redesigned Lock Screen, Unsend and Edit in iMessage, and More ('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/ios-16-to-launch-september-12/')
Will the release be on Monday or Tuesday? The title of the thread says Monday but in the text it says we won’t have access til Tuesday. Which is correct?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
unfunfionn Avatar
unfunfionn
38 months ago
The beta doesn’t feel ready. It’s very stable but it has halved the battery life on my 13 Pro Max and there are still quite a few annoying bugs, most notably issues with swiping notifications in the latest public beta. Swiping to open the camera from the Lock Screen is also very patchy in the latest update.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gstevie Avatar
gstevie
38 months ago

GM coming today?
Likely the RC today.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SaguaroSeven Avatar
SaguaroSeven
38 months ago

('https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/07/ios-16-to-launch-september-12/')

Will the release be on Monday or Tuesday? The title of the thread says Monday but in the text it says we won’t have access til Tuesday. Which is correct?
Well, they managed to correct the headline, but the story still says "Tuesday." This is what happens when you write your stories and headlines before the facts are in. Touché Apple!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SaguaroSeven Avatar
SaguaroSeven
38 months ago
What's the feeling about installing iOS 16 next week? A little bit risky, or a lot risky?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Spinn_ Avatar
_Spinn_
38 months ago
I can’t wait to try out the new Lock Screen.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments