Apple’s iOS 16.3 update is now available, and it brings new features, bug fixes, and Security updates For your iPhone. The update was released alongside updates to other Apple software such as iPadOS, Safari, and previous versions of iOS. It comes a month after the release of the latest iOS update iOS 16.2.
Here are the new features landing on your iPhone with iOS 16.3.
Support for the second generation HomePod
Apple’s iOS 16.3 software supports it Second generation HomePod, which is set to release on February 3 for $299 (£299, AU$479). Apple announced the release of the new HomePod four days before the latest iOS software became available.
New Unity Wallpaper for Black History Month
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
A new iPhone wallpaper is part of Apple’s latest iOS update Black Unity Collection. The collection celebrates Black History Month with a special edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport Loop, a mosaic watch face and a new iPhone wallpaper. Apple also plans to release a selection of Black History Month content Apple TV, Fitness PlusMusic, maps, books, podcasts and as part of the App Store suite.
New ways to use emergency SOS via satellite
Emergency SOS launched by satellite Apple’s event in September. In iOS 16.3, the Hold and call Option changed Call with hold and release. If you enable Call with hold and release, you can press and hold the side button and the volume button to start the countdown and alarm. After the countdown, you release the buttons and your iPhone will automatically call emergency services. Before with Hold and call, pressing the side button and volume button will bring up the emergency SOS call slider first. If you keep holding the buttons, the countdown will start and the alarm will sound. When the countdown ends, your phone will make an emergency call.
Security keys add extra security to your device.
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
There is also an option Call quietly In an emergency SOS. By enabling this option, your phone won’t light up or start sounding an alarm when you try to make an emergency SOS call.
Security keys come to Apple ID
Users can now use third-party security keys for their Apple ID instead of two-factor authentication.
Security keys are like your house keys. You still use passwords, but this extra layer of security will help protect you from phishing scams and hackers.
“Hardware security keys are very secure,” said Thea Jolly, chief product officer at authentication services company Okta. CNET’s Stephen Shankland.
Apple’s Security Keys feature only works with FIDO Alliance-certified security keys.
Here is the list of new features and changes included in iOS 16.3.
- The new Unity Wallpaper celebrates black history and culture during Black History Month.
- Security Keys for Apple ID allow users to strengthen their account security by requiring a physical security key as part of the two-factor authentication sign-in process on new devices.
- Support for HomePod (second generation).
- Emergency SOS calls now require holding down the side button and the volume up or down button to prevent accidental emergency calls.
- Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes made with the Apple Pencil or your finger would not appear on shared boards.
- Addresses an issue where the wallpaper may appear black on the lock screen.
- Fixes an issue where horizontal lines may appear temporarily when waking the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget was not displaying the Home app status accurately.
- Addresses an issue where Siri would not respond correctly to music requests
- Resolves issues where Siri requests cannot be understood correctly in CarPlay.
For more iOS 16 news, check out New Features iOS 16.2 And iOS 16.1. Here’s how you can Sign up to test Apple’s iOS beta softwaretoo.
Note that:
iOS 16: Powerful Features You Missed
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