iOS 18.3 coming soon: New features, release date, AI updates, more
Apple is about to end the beta cycle of iOS 18.3. Unlike previous software updates, which took a lot more time to release, this one … The post iOS 18.3 coming soon: New features, release date, AI updates, more appeared first on BGR.
Apple is about to end the beta cycle of iOS 18.3. Unlike previous software updates, which took a lot more time to release, this one will likely be pretty straightforward. In this article, you’ll discover everything new with this future operating system update, its possible release date, and all the devices compatible with it.
Release Date
With iOS 15.3 and iOS 16.3, Apple only seeded two betas before making a Release Candidate version available. In early 2024, the iOS 17.3 beta needed an extra release, as Apple seeded three betas before the Release Candidate version. Apple then released iOS 17.3 in the third week of January.
With iOS 18.3, Apple seeded three betas and a Release Candidate version so far. We expect this software update to be available as soon as January 27. That said, Cupertino has a much bigger iOS 18.4 update coming in April.
iOS 18.3 beta 1 features
The first beta of iOS 18.3 only includes a few new features. Here's what we know so far:
Robot vacuum support: This feature was delayed to 2025. X user Aaron Perris discovered strings in iOS 18.3 beta code that show Apple wants to offer this feature with this next software update. When it's available, robot vacuum makers will be able to control their vacuums through Apple's Home app.
Turn off satellite communication: According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, those companies who deploy iPhones through Mobile Device Management will be able to disable satellite communication services. The journalist says this is "designed for defense/space agencies who don't want employees tapping into it."
Camera Control icons: Apple has updated the Camera Control icons to the new Dark Mode. This change has been spotted by X user Aaron Perris.
AI Updates? At the moment, it's unclear what changes Apple Intelligence might have in iOS 18.3. Given how far behind Apple is when it comes to AI, however, it's possible that Apple will try to slip some new features and improvements into iOS 18.3.
iOS 18.3 beta 2 features
Three weeks after Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 18.3, the company released a new build. At first, it doesn't look like there are new features available with this version. However, 9to5Mac found under-the-hood changes.
CarPlay 2.0: It seems the latest beta keeps adding references to the new CarPlay experience. Apple missed its 2024 deadline, and since iOS 18.2, we've seen Cupertino adding new files about this upcoming feature to its software. With the latest iOS 18.3 beta 2, the company added references to “CarPlayHybridInstrument” in the Maps app.
Calculator bug: iOS 18 removed the ability to repeat math operations. However, the latest beta has restored this feature.
iOS 18.3 beta 3 features
As Apple comes close to the public release of this software, the company added a few more tweaks to this upcoming update:
Notification Summary: After complaints that Apple Intelligence was hallucinating while summarizing news headlines, the company decided to turn off summarization for the News category. In addition, Apple now notes that this might happen.
Messages: The iMessage menu now features a new Genmoji toggle, which helps users access this feature faster.
Camera Control tweak: The recently-added AE/AF Lock has been renamed to "Lock Focus and Exposure."
iOS 18.3 RC Release Notes
These are the release notes of this update:
Notification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available
This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
- Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you tap the equals sign again
- Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request
- Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple Music
Device compatibility
iOS 18.3 is compatible with the following devices:
- iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd gen)
- iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
The post iOS 18.3 coming soon: New features, release date, AI updates, more appeared first on BGR.
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iOS 18.3 coming soon: New features, release date, AI updates, more originally appeared on BGR.com on Wed, 22 Jan 2025 at 06:44:52 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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