RC of iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1 Released for Testing

Apple has issued RC (Release Candidate) builds for iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, and macOS Monterey 12.1 to users participating in the beta testing programs for Apple system software.

The RC build indicator typically suggests the beta testing period has finished, and suggest a final version for the general public is due in the near future, possibly this week or next.

MacOS Monterey 12.1 RC does not appear to include the much anticipated Universal Control feature, which allows for using a single mouse and keyboard across multiple Macs and iPads. However, macOS Monterey 12.1 RC does include SharePlay, which allows for sharing content over a FaceTime call. macOS Monterey 12.1 also appears to resolve tap-to-click difficulties which have been reported as one of the problems with macOS Monterey. There are various smaller features and changes included in macOS Monterey 12.1 as well, listed further below in the RC release notes.

MacOS Monterey 12.1 RC build is available to download now via  Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update to any user enrolled in the beta testing program.

iOS 15.2 RC and iPadOS 15.2 RC include a new App Privacy Report feature which lets users see what data apps can access, a Legacy Contact feature in the event of a users death, some more options for Hide My Email, an ability to scan for AirTags that are nearby, and some child safety features in the Messages app that aim to hide possible nudity.

iOS 15.2 RC and iPadOS 15.2 RC builds can be downloaded now from Settings > General > Software Update to users enrolled in the beta testing programs for iOS and iPadOS.

Apple Watch and Apple TV beta testers can also find RC builds available for those devices as watchOS 8.3 RC and tvOS 15.2 RC, also available via their respective software update mechanisms.

macOS Monterey 12.1 RC Release Notes

macOS Monterey 12.1 adds SharePlay, an entirely new way to have shared experiences with family and friends in FaceTime. This update also includes the Apple Music Voice Plan, new safety features for children and parents in Messages, redesigned Memories in Photos, and other features and bug fixes for your Mac.

SharePlay

– SharePlay is a new way to share synchronized experiences in FaceTime with content from the Apple TV app, Apple

Music, and other supported apps
– Shared controls give everyone the ability to pause, play, rewind or fast forward
– Smart volume automatically lowers the audio of a movie, TV show or song when you or your friends speak
– Screen sharing lets everyone on a FaceTime call look at photos, browse the web, or help each other out

Apple Music Voice Plan

– Apple Music Voice Plan is a new subscription tier that gives you access to all songs, playlists, and stations in

Apple Music using Siri
– Just Ask Siri suggests music based on your listening history and likes or dislikes
– Play it Again lets you access a list of your recently played music

Photos

– Memories has been redesigned with a new interactive interface, new animation and transition styles, and multiple image collages
– New Memory types include additional international holidays, child-focused memories, trends over time, and improved pet memories

Messages

– Communication safety setting gives parents the ability to enable warnings for children when they receive or send photos that contain nudity
– Safety warnings contain helpful resources for children when they receive photos that contain nudity

Siri and Search

– Expanded guidance in Siri, Spotlight and Safari Search to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations

Apple ID

– Digital Legacy allows you to designate people as Legacy Contacts so they can access your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death

TV App

– Store tab lets you browse, buy, and rent movies and TV Shows all in one place

This release also includes the following enhancements for your Mac:

-Hide My Email is available in the Mail app for iCloud+ subscribers to create unique, random email addresses
-Stocks allows you to view the currency for a ticker and see year-to-date performance when viewing charts
-Reminders and Notes now allow you to delete or rename tags

This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac:

-Desktop and Screen Saver may appear blank after selecting photos from the Photos library
-Trackpad could become unresponsive to taps or clicks
-External displays may not charge some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers when connected using Thunderbolt or USB-C
-HDR video playback on YouTube.com could cause 2021 MacBook Pro computers to panic
-Menu bar extras may be obscured by the camera housing on 2021 MacBook Pro computers
-MagSafe may stop charging on 2021 16-inch MacBook Pro computers when lid is closed and system is shut down

iOS 15.2 RC Release Notes

iOS 15.2 adds Apple Music Voice Plan, a new subscription tier that provides access to music using Siri. This update also includes the App Privacy Report, new safety features for children and parents in Messages, and other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.

Apple Music Voice Plan

* Apple Music Voice Plan is a new subscription tier that gives you access to all songs, playlists, and stations in Apple Music using Siri
* Just Ask Siri suggests music based on your listening history and likes or dislikes
* Play it Again lets you access a list of your recently played music

Privacy

* App Privacy Report in Settings lets you see how often apps have accessed your location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts and more during the last seven days, as well as their network activity

Messages

* Communication safety setting gives parents the ability to enable warnings for children when they receive or send photos that contain nudity
* Safety warnings contain helpful resources for children when they receive photos that contain nudity

Siri and Search

* Expanded guidance in Siri, Spotlight, and Safari Search to help children and parents stay safe online and get help with unsafe situations

Apple ID

* Digital Legacy allows you to designate people as Legacy Contacts so they can access your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death

Camera

* Macro photo control for switching to the Ultra Wide lens to capture macro photos and videos can be enabled in Settings on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max

TV app

* Store tab lets you browse, buy, and rent movies and TV Shows all in one place

CarPlay

* Enhanced city map in Apple Maps with road details like turn lanes, medians, bike lanes, and pedestrian crosswalks for supported cities

This release also includes the following enhancements for your iPhone:

* Hide My Email is available in the Mail app for iCloud+ subscribers to create unique, random email addresses
* Find My can locate iPhone for up to five hours when in Power Reserve
* Stocks allows you to view the currency for a ticker and see year-to-date performance when viewing charts
* Reminders and Notes now allow you to delete or rename tags

This release also includes bug fixes for your iPhone:

* Siri may not respond while VoiceOver is running and iPhone is locked
* ProRAW photos may appear overexposed when viewing in third-party photo editing apps
* HomeKit scenes that include a garage door may not run from CarPlay when your iPhone is locked
* CarPlay may not update Now Playing information for certain apps
* Video streaming apps may not load content on iPhone 13 models
* Calendar events may appear on the wrong day for Microsoft Exchange users