Apple is hard at work on an iOS 145 update, an update that will offer a wide array of new features to the iPhone, and that update is scheduled to drop next week ahead of the AirTag Key Finder launch But that's not the only iOS update Apple has in store

Last week, Apple released iOS 146 to developers, and the day after that it released a public beta of iOS 146 that anyone can download

It is unclear exactly what new features iOS 146 will bring, but certain changes are immediately available If you are already testing the iOS beta, you can continue working with that release candidate or jump to the new beta that is available

This is a pretty big deal It allows iPhone users who are testing a beta to decide whether or not to install the new version, rather than automatically seeing an update This move will encourage more people to try Apple's public beta

If you are already in the iOS beta program to test iOS 145, you can see the effects of this new approach Launch the Settings app, tap General, and select Software Update At the top of the screen, you will see the current iOS 145 beta status Below that, at the bottom of the screen, you will see a new line to access the iOS 146 beta

To sign up for Apple's beta program, go to the beta software web page using the device on which you want to install the beta software; sign up using your Apple ID and follow the instructions to get the latest iOS beta version

iOS 145 adds AirTag support in addition to other features, such as the ability to unlock the phone with the Apple Watch There are also new Siri voice options and changes to the Maps, Podcasts, News, and Reminders apps

As mid-release cycle updates, these additions are noteworthy, but the main event will come later this year when iOS 15 debuts It is the next major release for Apple's iPhone software and we expect to see a preview at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June