Get ready for the iOS 16 update. iOS 16.3 is coming to your iPhone this week, bringing some new features, some bug fixes, and some tie-ins for Black History Month.
Word of the impending release of iOS 16.3 comes from Apple itself, which slipped the launch date in a press release highlighting the company’s efforts on behalf of Black History Month. (opens in new tab) in February. In addition to a spotlight on curated content in the Music, TV, News and Podcasts apps, Apple is adding a Unity watch face and iPhone wallpapers that feature the colors of the Pan-African flag.
Both the Unity 2023 watch face and the Unity iPhone wallpaper will require iOS 16.3. And in the fine print of Apple’s Black History Month announcement from yesterday (January 18), the company says the watch face and wall paper will be “available next week.” It appears that an iOS update is also coming.
Another sign that iOS 16.3 is on its way: The beta of the release candidate became available to developers this week. Usually, that means a full release isn’t that far away.
If you’ve been following the iOS 16.3 beta process, you know that many major features aren’t planned for this release. But Apple has a few extras set to go live once iOS 16.3 arrives on your iPhone. Here’s what you can expect.
iOS 16.3: Security Key Authentication for Apple ID
Users looking for an extra layer of security between ne’er-do-wells and their Apple ID data will be able to add Security Key Authentication Tank to iOS 16.3.
Apple announced it (opens in new tab) At the same time it revealed the inclusion of advanced data protection for iCloud, coming to US iPhone owners in iOS 16.2. At the time, Apple said it was targeting an early 2023 launch for Security Key certification, which tracks with the iOS 16.3 release.
The physical security keys are meant to enhance Apple’s existing two-factor authentication for Apple IDs, especially for iPhone owners whose public profiles make them potential targets for hackers. Think of celebrities, politicians and – looks around nervously – journalist.
When this feature is enabled, you will need a physical security key as one of two factors to sign in to your Apple ID account.
Better HomePod Handoff
The Handoff feature is an enhancement that transfers control of music playback from an iPhone to a HomePod speaker, an addition that’s especially timely given the arrival of the Apple HomePod 2 this week. While Handoff has existed for some time, iOS 16.3 introduces a new guide that more clearly shows HomePod owners how to use the Handoff capability.
The guide asks you to bring your iPhone within range of the HomePod to view your playback controls or play your phone’s audio on the smart speaker. It also asks you to do this again if you want to view the controls or move the audio back later.
New Emergency SOS via satellite call mode
iPhone 14 users already have access to Emergency SOS via satellite if they need help in a remote location, but iOS 16.3 is adding two new ways to access it.
Call with Hold and Release replaces the existing Call with Hold function, allowing you to access Emergency SOS and Alarm after holding down the Power button and Volume button. The previous call with hold function requires you to use the call slider to make an emergency call, something that may not be necessary depending on your situation.
The other new option is Call silently. This lets you make an emergency call without setting off the alarm, in which case it won’t be useful or could put you in further danger.
iOS 16.3 Global Advanced Data Protection
As we mentioned above, the iOS 16.2 update has given US iPhone owners access to enhanced data protection. This new security feature brings end-to-end encryption to Apple’s iCloud storage service, protecting the information you store in the cloud (with the exception of mail, contacts, and calendar data).
Apple promised to bring Global Advanced Data Protection to other parts of the world with future iOS updates and based on Comments from people using the iOS 16.3 beta (opens in new tab), that time has come. As before, to enable Advanced Data Protection, launch Settings, tap on your name, followed by iCloud. From there, you can turn on the security feature.
iOS 16.3 bug fixes
The iOS 16.3 release notes detail the many improvements coming via this software update. The biggest included a bug where horizontal lines would appear on some iPhone 14 Pro Max models as the phones were being activated. Additionally, iOS 16.3 fixes assorted issues involving Siri, Car Play, and the iPhone lock screen.
iOS 16.2 included a new architecture for Apple’s Home app, but Apple pulled it from the iPhone software as soon as the feature arrived. Users complained of some HomeKit devices being stuck in “updating” or “configuring” states, while other devices were missing from the Home app entirely, among other bugs. The new architecture returns in iOS 16.3, presumably now that Apple has ironed out those issues.
what is still missing
Even though iOS 16 has been around since fall 2022, not all of the features Apple has promised are live yet. We’re still awaiting the launch of a dedicated Apple Music Classical app, though. Reports that the code is included in the iOS 16.3 release candidate (opens in new tab) Pointing to such a service.
Apple Pay Later, which lets you split payments through Apple Pay into four installments, is still not launched. It will probably be a part of iOS 16.4, which will likely appear in beta sometime after the release of iOS 16.3.