iOS 16.6 Issues, Bugs, Fixes, Security, Problems & More
iOS 16.6 update
iOS 16.6 build number 20G75 is available for iPhone 8 and later devices. It comes with important bug fixes and security updates! All addressed issues, as well as new problems and other changes are covered here!
iOS 16.6 Issues
Below we track all problems reported for this version along with available workarounds:
- 1. iPhone lagging and overheating after update. (Isolated reports)
Fix: Reboot device. - 2. AirDrop sound cannot be changed in Settings -> Sound & Haptics. AirDrop missing from sounds is an older iOS 16 bug. Reported by this Reddit user.
- 3. CarPlay connect automation triggers an error message in Shortcuts. Reported by getridofwires.
- 4. Next/Previous buttons not working in CarPlay most of the time. Reported by sambooka. (Toyota RAV 4)
- 5. Wired headset not working anymore after iOS 16.6 update for this Reddit user.
Workaround: Try restarting your device. - 6. Location services not working properly for some users. Apple Maps shows current location when connected to WiFi and Google Maps freezes randomly during navigation. Reported by mconk. Are you experiencing the same?
- 7. Battery drain bug seems to be fixed for the majority of users. However, there are still isolated cases complaining about battery problems.
- 8. Mail app blank while reading an email? Reported by BigMasterDingdong.
- 3. To be updated. (Contribute in the comments!)
iOS 16.6 Bugs Fixed
Problems solved in this release are mentioned here:
- 1. iOS 16.5.1 battery drain has been fixed for most users. However, there are still some users reporting overheating and battery issues.
Tip: Reboot your device and it should be fine. - 2. Update Apple ID notification showing up in a loop has been fixed. Thanks stanb42 for sharing.
- 3. To be updated. (Contribute in the comments!)
iOS 16.6 Security Updates
There are a significant amount of security fixes included in this update. The security content lists 24 vulnerabilities that have been addressed by Apple, including:
Apple Neural Engine, Find My, Kernel, libxpc, NSURLSession, WebKit, WebKit Process Model and WebKit Web Inspector patches.
The problems have been solved with improved checks, restrictions, validation, state and memory management.
iOS 16.6 Features
According to the release notes, this update focuses on significant bug and security fixes. Apple does not announce any new additions. However, changes spotted are tracked here:
- 1. To be updated. (Contribute in the comments!)
iOS 16.6 Download
- 1. This update is available, over-the-air in Settings -> General -> Software Update on iPhone 8 and later models.
- 2. Tap Download and Install and be patient until the update is requested, downloaded, prepared, verified and installed on your device.
- 3. iPhone reboots when installation is finished.
iOS 16.6 Not Available?
If your iPhone already runs the iOS 17 beta, version 16.6 won’t show up even if you have beta updates turned off in Settings.
Have you installed iOS 16.6 on iPhone? Has the battery life improved? Are you still experiencing bugs and issues? Share your feedback in the comments!
Related: Apple has also released iPadOS 16.6, macOS Ventura 13.5, watchOS 9.6, tvOS 16.6 and HomePod 16.6.
Why can’t I send photos and emails from my iPhone ? Seems only an issue since 16.6 update .
What mail client are you using? The native Mail app? Aren’t you able to attach photos in any app? Like WhatsApp, Messages, Mail?
I installed 16.6 update and now my primary microphone (the one on the bottom of the phone) won’t work. This means no one can hear me on the phone and I cannot use the voice memo app. Apple cannot fix this and their analytics diagnostics cannot find anything wrong.
What iPhone model are you owning? This looks like an isolated case. Haven’t found any other similar reports after iOS 16.6 update. It might be a hardware issue on your device, that coincided with the update.
16.5.1 has been unsigned so you can’t revert. You could update to iOS 17 Public Beta instead and see if it helps. Be aware though that a beta version comes with its own fair share of bugs.
Let us know if you have any breakthrough.
I have the same problem now.
Thanks for sharing. Please specify your iPhone model.
I’m having the same problem on my iphone 14 Pro Max after the iOS 16.6 update.. when someone calls me I can hear the caller but they cannot hear me.. seems to be intermitant
Thanks for reporting. Has iOS 16.6.1 fixed it?
I am experiencing the same issue. I can hear the caller but they can’t hear me, when I place call on loud speaker, my voice is just low.
Try to turn off Continuity Camera in Settings -> General -> AirPlay & Handoff.
Since I updated to iOS 16.6, my iPhone keeps warning me about being connected to my iMac. Indeed it shows up in the microphone list of my iMac and I cannot remove it. The warning on my iPhone comes every few minutes and is very irritating.
Thanks for reporting. Can you send a screenshot of the warning at contact[at]iphonetricks.org? Or at least quote here the exact text of the warning (notification) that you get on your iPhone.
Have you ever used your iPhone as camera for Mac. The Continuity feature introduced in iOS 16?
On iPhone, try to go for Settings -> General -> Airplay & Handoff. Turn off Continuity Camera and let us know if it helps.
I sent a screenshot by email to you.
No, I did not use my iPhone as continuity feature.
I turned of the continuity camera and will monitor what happens now.
Thanks for your fat help!
Sorry, I meant ‘fast’ help…;-)
So far, so good. The warning has not returned (yet). I think you resolved it.
Thanks again,
Piet
Thanks for the screenshot got it. Great! Glad that it helped.
Since updating to iOS 16.6, my phone randomly shuts off. In order to restart it, the side button has to be pressed three times. Once restarted, it can’t find the cellular network (no bars). All of my employees who updated to iOS 16.6 are having the same problems. We use AT&T and Verizon based upon employee location. The issues related to the update are not provider specific. Both providers have acknowledged they have received complaints from customers with the same issue but they refer us back to Apple. So far, Apple has yet to respond.
Thanks for reporting. Device shuts off at night when plugged-in or this happens really random, during the day too? Usually, powering a device is ON is done by pressing & holding the Side Button until the Apple logo is displayed on the screen. A triple-click of the Side Button brings up the Accessibility shortcut when the device is turned ON.
Would appreciate if you can provide more details please.
My problem is also same if battery draining random and heat up volumen bug is also present tell me how can I recover from this
Try to reinstall the current iOS version using a computer and the Lightning to USB cable. You need Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows).
I’m having zero problems restarting, but I am finding the issue you mentioned with not being able to connect to my cellular network since installing iOS 16.6 30 minutes ago. I’m in a usually fine coverage area.
Have you managed to fix this in the meantime?
Hi,
I updated iphone SE (2nd generation) to iOS 16.6 and received a bug, my touch id is not working anymore.
I tried all troubleshooting solutions nothing has fixed it. This occurred after the update immediately.
Thanks for sharing. Have you fixed it in the meantime? Did iOS 16.6.1 help?
Our iPhone SE (3rd Gen), after IOS 16.6 update developed a problem with speakerphone not working during calls and when listening to voicemails. The speakers themselves did work though, as evidenced by listening to video clips or viewing websites with audio.
After trying numerous apple-endorsed and other possible fixes (shutting off Bluetooth, moving volume slider, and any number of other things) I was able to bring the speakerphone feature back after trying a couple things: I set audio to ‘mono’ in Settings/Accessibility/Audio-Visual (didn’t help on its own) and turned off ‘Continuity Camera’ in Settings/General/Airplay & Handoff (this also did not help immediately), and then power-cycled the phone with these settings changed. Finally – success!
Turning those settings back on after the power-cycle did not bring the problem back, but I don’t need them so turned off again and now am left a bit mystified as to which one did the trick or if it really took the combo plus power-cycle to do it.
Sheesh – I just want the darn phone to continue to act like a phone without fiddling!
Anyway – hope that helps someone.
Thanks for the extended feedback Mark. iOS 17 will be released today. Stay tuned for the feedback.
I installed 16.6.1 as prompted to do by my phone. My phone then refused to acknowledge my 6-digit passcode or facial recognition. I tried a couple of variations of my passcode thinking I had just gotten it wrong and my phone started locking up for longer periods after each attempt. Eventually I just gave up, followed the prompts to Restore it, and when my phone woke up after that it did not take me back to the ‘start again’ page but just brought up the usual passcode page. I tried to enter my old passcode and it has now locked itself for an hour. I’ll try to Restore again when it come up to just over an hour. help??
Have you managed to fix this in the meantime? iOS 17 will be out today!