Bea Beltran Tech 01.11.2023 04:Jan AM EST

iOS 16.3 Beta Brings Updates for Emergency SOS Feature 'Call with Hold'

The iOS 16.3's second beta was recently released by Apple for developers, which changed a few things for the latest iOS. Among the changes is the way Apple's Emergency SOS feature works, like renaming the "Call with Hold" to "Call with Hold and Release."

iOS 16.3's Emergency SOS

Apple's Emergency SOS feature allows users to access emergency services by pressing the buttons on the iPhone for a few seconds. The feature will then start a countdown to provide an opportunity for cancellation, and then lets out an alarm.

With the update, the call to emergency services will not be sent out automatically unless you let go of the button, ergo, being renamed "Hold and Release." Users will have to simultaneously hold the three side buttons down, which includes both volume buttons.

There are still features that are the same as the previous one. For instance, holding the side buttons will still initiate the Emergency SOS feature. The countdown will start and a loud alarm will sound after it ends, according to 9To5Mac.

The previous version also shows asks for feedback once the Emergency SOS feature is canceled. The iPhone will ask the user if they intentionally trigger the SOS buttons. This could help the company study the feature more to avoid further accidental emergency calls.

Other iOS 16.3 Updates

Aside from the tweaks in the Emergency SOS feature, the second beta also brings physical security keys for Apple ID. Users are now able to secure their IDs using a FIDO-certified physical key, according to MacWorld.

There's also a tutorial that teaches users how to use the Handoff features between an iPhone and a HomePod. It's unlikely that the updates will be released to the public this January. It might launch between February to March of 2023.

You can try and get the public beta features yourself on its release by signing up for the Apple Beta Software Program page. Once you've signed up, you can log into the program and enroll your device. You will need to re-enroll if you signed up for the previous version's beta.

Using your device, go to your profile and download the configuration profile. Once that's done, install it and enable the profile. You can do that by heading to your Settings, then General, then tapping on VPN and Device Management. You will find the beta profile there.

You're not quite done after that. You will have to head to the Software Update section under General, and you will see that the beta version will now be available. Once the new beta rolls out to developers, it won't be long before it is released for the public beta testers.

It's important to note that the public beta testing is only compatible with devices that can update to iOS 16. If you want to get the developer beta, you'll need to register for the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 a year.