Apple launched iOS 16.3 in late January following practically six weeks of beta testing. The software program replace is accessible for the iPhone 8 and newer, and whereas it’s a comparatively minor replace, it nonetheless features a handful of latest options, adjustments, and bug fixes.
Under, we have recapped new options in iOS 16.3, together with assist for bodily safety keys as a two-factor authentication possibility for Apple ID accounts, worldwide availability of Superior Information Safety for expanded iCloud encryption, and extra.
Safety Keys for Apple IDs
iOS 16.3 allows a brand new Safety Keys for Apple ID function, giving customers the choice to make use of {hardware} safety keys to additional shield their account. For customers who allow this function, Safety Keys strengthens Apple’s two-factor authentication by requiring a bodily safety key as a second issue as a substitute of a verification code from one other Apple machine.
Apple doesn’t plan to launch its personal {hardware} safety keys. The function depends on third-party safety keys out there from manufacturers like Yubico, such because the YubiKey 5Ci, which has each Lightning and USB-C connectors to be used with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Superior Information Safety (Worldwide)
Beginning with iOS 16.3, Superior Information Safety is accessible globally, giving customers the choice to allow end-to-end encryption for a lot of further iCloud information classes, together with Photographs, Notes, Voice Memos, Messages backups, machine backups, and extra. The safety function first launched within the U.S. with iOS 16.2 in December.
By default, Apple shops encryption keys for some iCloud information sorts on its servers to make sure that customers can get well their information in the event that they lose entry to their Apple ID account. If a person allows Superior Information Safety, the encryption keys are deleted from Apple’s servers and saved on a person’s units solely, stopping Apple, regulation enforcement, or anybody else from accessing the information, even when iCloud servers had been to be breached.
All of a person’s units should be up to date to software program variations that assist Superior Information Safety of their nation to make use of the function. Outdoors the U.S., this consists of iOS 16.3, iPadOS 16.3, macOS 13.2, tvOS 16.3, and watchOS 9.3.
Black Unity Wallpaper
Apple lately launched a brand new, special-edition Black Unity Sport Loop for the Apple Watch Sequence 4 and newer in celebration of Black Historical past Month. As a part of iOS 16.3, Apple additionally launched a companion Black Unity-themed iPhone wallpaper for the Lock Display screen.
Obtainable in 41mm and 45mm sizes, the $49 band options the phrase “Unity” woven into the material with pink, inexperienced, and black yarns that pay homage to the Pan-African flag, based on Apple. The band is accessible to order on Apple’s on-line retailer.
Second-Era HomePod Help
Apple this week launched a second-generation HomePod with a really related design because the full-size HomePod that was discontinued in March 2021, and iOS 16.3 consists of software program assist for the sensible speaker on the iPhone.
The brand new HomePod options two fewer tweeters and two fewer microphones than the unique, an S7 chip for computational audio, a U1 chip for handing off music from an iPhone, and a brand new temperature and humidity sensor. The speaker stays managed with Siri and helps Matter for compatibility with HomeKit and different sensible dwelling equipment.
The brand new HomePod will be ordered on Apple’s on-line retailer for $299 within the U.S. and choose different international locations, with white and midnight shade choices out there.
iOS 16.3 Launch Notes
This replace consists of the next enhancements and bug fixes: – New Unity wallpaper honors Black historical past and tradition in celebration of Black Historical past Month
– Safety Keys for Apple ID enable customers to strengthen the safety of their account by requiring a bodily safety key as a part of the 2 issue authentication register course of on new units
– Help for HomePod (2nd era)
– Emergency SOS calls now require holding the aspect button with the up or down quantity button after which releasing to be able to forestall inadvertent emergency calls
– Fixes a difficulty in Freeform the place some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger could not seem on shared boards
– Addresses a difficulty the place the wallpaper could seem black on the Lock Display screen
– Fixes a difficulty the place horizontal strains could quickly seem whereas waking up iPhone 14 Professional Max
– Fixes a difficulty the place the Dwelling Lock Display screen widget doesn’t precisely show Dwelling app standing
– Addresses a difficulty the place Siri could not reply correctly to music requests
– Resolves points the place Siri requests in CarPlay will not be understood accurately
iOS 16.3 will be put in within the Settings app beneath Common → Software program Replace.