iOS 18.3: New Features, Release Date, Others

Apple has officially started beta testing for iOS 18.3. This update includes some minor changes for iPhone users. Here is all the necessary information summarized.

iOS 18.3 Release Date

Apple released the first beta version of iOS 18.3 to developers on December 16, 2023. Based on previous years, iOS 18.3 is likely to be released to the general public in the latter half of January 2024.

• iOS 17.3 – January 22, 2023
• iOS 16.3 - January 23, 2023
• iOS 15.3 - January 26, 2022

New Features in iOS 18.3

iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 were captivating iPhone users with new Apple Intelligence features and other major updates, but iOS 18.3 is seen as a minor update.

Robot Vacuum Cleaner Functionality

With code changes in iOS 18.3, Home app support for robot vacuum cleaners has been added. This allows users to add smart vacuum cleaners to HomeKit and control them using Siri, automation, and other features.

Apple states about Home app support for robot vacuum cleaners:

The Home app supports the basic functions of a robot vacuum cleaner, including power control, cleaning mode, cleaning, cleaning cloth, and charging status. It can also participate in automation and scenes and respond to Siri requests. Therefore, can it be added to the cleaning routine, or can Siri request spot cleaning in the living room?

“We are waiting for additional details from companies actually producing robot vacuum cleaners and plans for HomeKit integration. However, it is clear that iOS 18.3 is establishing the foundation for HomeKit that will support these final features.”

Bug Fixes

According to Apple's release notes, iOS 18.3 fixes two bugs in Apple Intelligence:

• Fix: Custom Genmoji may not be generated if another person is not selected.
• Fix: If a third-party app adopts the iOS Writing Tools API and the first responder is not a UIView, the full inline experience cannot be used.

Minor Changes

• There is a very minor change in the icon of the Image Playground app. This is highlighted by X. Aaron Perris.
• Starting from now, you can log in to the Feedback app using Face ID or Touch ID instead of entering the password every time.
• The camera control menu icon on the Accessibility page in Settings now supports Dark Mode.

Summary of iOS 18.3

“Apple may add more features to iOS 18.3 while beta testing is ongoing, but based on our current expectations, the next major Apple Intelligence feature is likely to be released in iOS 18.4.”

Did you find anything new in iOS 18.3? Please let us know in the comments. We will provide more detailed information about updates as additional beta versions are released over the next six months.

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