iOS 16.4 Beta: new features public beta testers can try now

Apple’s first public beta of iOS 16.4 was released for testers on Friday, a day after Apple released the developer beta. Beta testers can try out new features, such as updates to Apple Podcasts and new emoji, including the long sought after plain pink heart.

These features are only available to people who are part of Apple Beta Software Program. New iOS features can be fun, but we recommend only downloading a beta to something other than your primary phone, in case the new software causes problems. Apple also provides beta testers with an app called Feedback. This app allows testers to notify Apple of any issues in new software with the app, that way the issue can be resolved before general release.

Here are the new features beta testers can find in the first iOS 16.4 beta.

31 new emojis

The latest iOS software brings 31 new emoji on your iOS device. The new emoji includes a new smiley face, new animals – like a moose and a goose – and new heart colors – like pink and light blue.

The new emoji are all from the September 2022 Unicode recommendation list, Emoji 15.0.

Apple Podcast Updates

The beta software brings some changes to the way you navigate Apple Podcasts. Now you can access the podcast channels you subscribe to in your library, and

Up Next now lets you resume podcast episodes you started and start episodes you recorded. You can also delete episodes you want to skip.

This story is being updated.