Beta 5 of macOS Monterey 12.5, iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, Released for Testing

Apple has released the fifth beta builds of macOS Monterey 12.5, iOS 15.6, and iPadOS 15.6.

No specific features or changes are expected in the releases, suggesting that iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6, and macOS Monterey 12.5 will all be bug fix releases with security improvements.

These betas are being worked on alongside the separate betas of iOS 16, macOS Ventura 13, and iPadOS 16, which are set to be released to the general public this fall.

For the few users who are enrolled in the beta testing programs for macOS Monterey betas and iOS 15 betas, the fifth beta build is available to download now through the respective software update mechanisms on those devices.

For MacOS, that’s in System Preferences > Software Update.

For iOS and iPadOS, that’s in Settings > General > Software Update.

A fifth beta build means the final release of macOS Monterey 12.5, iOS 15.6, and iPadOS 15.6 are probably due sooner than later, likely in the coming weeks.

The most recent stable versions of system software for Mac, iPhone, and iPad are macOS Monterey 12.4, iOS 15.5, iPadOS 15.5.

Meanwhile, most beta testers are probably running the next generation betas instead, which are currently on beta 2 of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS Ventura 13.