Download: iOS 10.2 Beta 3 Is Out Now

iOS 10.2 beta 3 is now live and available for download on compatible iPhone, iPad or iPod touch by users registered on the Apple Developer Program. Here’s everything that you need you need to know about this release, and about iOS 10.2 in general.

The release of iOS 10.2 beta 3 comes two weeks after the initial introduction of iOS 10.2 beta 1, and just seven days or so after the Cupertino-based company pushed out iOS 10.2 beta 2 to the developers and testers community. One of the great things about iOS 10.2 is that it fills any voids left by iOS 10.1.1, meaning that device owners actually have something to sink their teeth into when downloading and consuming the update.

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While iOS 10.1.1 appeared to be nothing more than a bug fix and performance enhancement release, iOS 10.2 looks to raise the bar a little by actually bringing new functionality to the table.

Developers and testers installing iOS 10.2 betas will be able to instantly customize their iPhone or iPad with one of three new wallpapers pulled directly from the marketing shots used for the launch and promotion of iPhone 7. Apple has also taken the rather bizarre step of updating the Video app to include its own widget.

Communication within iOS 10.2 has also been taken to the next level with the integration of Unicode 9 from the Unicode Consortium, which brings a number of new emoji characters to the table. Staying on the communication trend, there’s also a new full-screen messaging effect dubbed “Celebrate” built into the revamped Messages app. Add this to new settings within the Health experience, brand new TV app, as well as new options in the Camera and Photos apps, and you have what will hopefully be a polished release that gives end-users to actually sink their teeth into.

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For a complete list of changes that iOS 10.2 beta 3 will be carrying forward from earlier iOS 10.2 pre-releases, check out the list of changes for iOS 10.2 beta 1 here: iOS 10.2 Beta 1: New Features And Changes, and for iOS 10.2 beta 2 here: iOS 10.2 Beta 2 New Features And Changes: Everything That’s New.

As for new features and changes within this latest beta 3 seed of iOS 10.2, we’ll be sure to bring you the latest on what has changed as the information comes in.

As always, those who are registered and enrolled members of the Apple Developer Program can download and interact with the latest pre-release seed right now as an over-the-air update from Settings > General > Software Update on the device. For those who prefer a manual or fresh installation, they can grab the iOS 10.2 beta 3 IPSW file directly from developer.apple.com and restore to it using iTunes.

Update x1: iOS 10.2 Public Beta 3 is available to download as well for those registered on Apple Beta Software Program.

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