Apple’s released a new iOS 16.3 update for iPhone and the software comes with some intriguing enhancements.
iOS 16.3 is the company’s third milestone upgrade for iOS 16. Like its predecessor iOS 16.2, the software delivers new features, bug fixes, and security updates that should improve the iPhone experience.
With that in mind we want to take you through everything you need to know about iOS 16.3, Apple’s latest and greatest iOS 16 update for the iPhone.
- iOS 16.3 Review
- iOS 16.3 Problems
- iOS 16.3 Features
- iOS 16.3 Jailbreak
- What’s Next
In this guide we’ll walk you through iOS 16.3’s features, the firmware’s performance, the current state of iOS 16.3 problems, the iOS 16.3 jailbreak status, and more. We’ll start with some quick thoughts on iOS 16.3’s performance.
iOS 16.3 Review
If your iPhone is currently running iOS 16.2, you’ll see the smallest iOS 16.3 download size when you go to install the new software in your Settings app.
The exact size of the iOS 16.3 download depends on your iPhone model and the version of iOS it’s currently running. If your device is running a really older version of iOS 16, or an older version of iOS, you’ll likely see a bigger download because iOS 16.3 will have the changes from the updates you skipped on board.
If you’re moving your iPhone up from iOS 16.2, the installation process should take 10 minutes or less to complete. It took about seven minutes to install on an iPhone 12 Pro.
We’ve been using the iOS 16.3 update on an iPhone 12 Pro for a few days now and here’s what we’ve learned about the software’s performance thus far:
Connectivity
- Battery life is stable.
- Wi-Fi connectivity is fast and reliable.
- Bluetooth is working normally.
- GPS and cellular data are both stable.
App Performance
- Third-party apps including Netflix, Twitter, Slack, Asana, Gmail, Chrome, and Spotify are working fine at the moment.
- First party apps like Safari and Podcasts are also stable.
Speed
- iOS 16.2 feels as fast as iOS 16.3 did. We haven’t noticed an increase in lag and animations and transitions are crisp right now.
If you’ve been dealing with bugs and/or performance issues on iOS 16.2 or an older version of iOS 16, you should probably install the iOS 16.3 update on your iPhone.
If you need help making a decision about an upgrade, check out the best reasons to, and not to, install the iOS 16.3 update on your iPhone right now.
iOS 16.3 Problems
iOS 16.3 is causing problems for some iPhone users. Some of these problems are brand new, others have carried over from older iOS firmware.
The current list of iOS 16.3 problems includes abnormal battery drain, installation issues, Wi-Fi problems, Bluetooth bugs, UI lag, issues with Face ID, and issues with various first and third-party apps.
If you encounter a problem with the software, take a look at our list of fixes for the most common iOS 16 issues. We’ve also released some tips that could help you improve your phone’s performance and some tips that could help you fix iOS 16 battery life issues.
Apple stopped signing on iOS 16.2 which means you can’t move your iPhone’s software back to the previous version of iOS 16 in an effort to improve its performance. You can’t downgrade to older versions of iOS either.
Keep this in mind if you’re having a good experience on your current version of iOS. Once you make the move to iOS 16.3, you won’t be able to get back.
For more on the downgrade process, check out our guide.
iOS 16.3 Features
Apple’s milestone updates (x.x) almost always bring new features, enhancements, security patches, and bug fixes to iPhone users and that’s what you’ll get from iOS 16.3.
Here’s the full iOS 16.3 change log:
Features
- New Unity wallpaper honors Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month.
- Security Keys for Apple ID allow users to strengthen the security of their account by requiring a physical security key as part of the two factor authentication sign in process on new devices.
- Support for HomePod (2nd generation).
- Emergency SOS calls now require holding the side button with the up or down volume button and then releasing in order to prevent inadvertent emergency calls.
Bug Fixes
- Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger may 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 temporarily appear while waking up iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget does not accurately display Home app status.
- Addresses an issue where Siri may not respond properly to music requests.
- Resolves issues where Siri requests in CarPlay may not be understood correctly. (This fixes a bug that prevented Find My app from working properly with CarPlay.)
While unlisted, it looks like iOS 16.3 lets iPhone users add lock screen widgets to classic wallpapers.
The software also brings new security patches to the iPhone and you can read more about those changes over on Apple’s security website.
iOS 16.3 Jailbreak
If you still jailbreak, make sure you avoid the iOS 16.3 update.
Developers have released a new jailbreak that works with iOS 15.0-iOS 16.2. Unfortunately, the jailbreak doesn’t work with iOS 16.3 and it’s only compatible with the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus.
We’ll let you know if that changes.
What’s Next
iOS 16.3 was the last known iOS software upgrade in Apple’s pipeline so it’s unclear when the next version of iOS 16 will roll out to iPhone users.
While unconfirmed, it looks like Apple is testing a new iOS 16.3.1 update for release ahead of the company’s next milestone upgrade.
We suspect Apple will put a new milestone update, dubbed iOS 16.4, into beta testing in the near future so keep an eye out as we cruise through the month.
4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 16.3 & 11 Reasons You Should
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If security is important to you, think about installing Apple's iOS 16.3 update right away. iOS 16.3 brings 12 new security patches (including one for the Weather app) with it and you can learn more about all of those right here. In addition, the software comes with support for physical security keys for Apple ID. These will beef up your account security by requiring a physical security key as part of the two factor authentication sign in process. Learn more about the change right here. If you skipped iOS 16.2, you'll get its changes with iOS 16.3. iOS 16.2 brought a ton of important security patches with it and you can dig into the details on Apple's security site. The update also brought end-to-end encryption to iCloud, iMessage, iPhone backups, Notes, Photos, and more. If you want to learn more about it, head over to Apple's guide. If you decided to hold off on installing iOS 16.1.2, you'll get its solitary security patch with your upgrade. Learn more about it right here. If you skipped iOS 16.1.1, you'll get its security patches when you upgrade. You can learn more about them right here. If you missed the iOS 16.1 update, it brought 19 security patches to the iPhone and you can learn about the particulars of those over on Apple's website. If you failed to download iOS 16.0.3, it had one security patch on board, a fix for a potential exploit within the Mail app. For more about the fix, check out Apple's security site. If you're still running iOS 15 your iPhone, you'll get a bunch of other patches when you upgrade. iOS 16.0 brought a ton of security patches to the iPhone. If you're interested in the exact nature of these improvements, you can read about them over on Apple's security website. In addition to those patches, iOS 16 brings some additional enhancements to privacy and security including Safety Check which, according to Apple, will help "people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations review and reset the access they’ve granted others." The feature also resets system privacy permissions for apps and restricts Messages and FaceTime to the device on hand. Apple's also made some improvements to Passkeys in Safari. iOS 16 brings a brand new sign-in method that's end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks. | ||||||||||||||||
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FAQs
What does the iOS 16.3 update do? ›
iOS 16.3.1
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including: iCloud settings may be unresponsive or incorrectly display if apps are using iCloud. Siri requests for Find My may not work. Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models.
While Apple has worked to fix the bugs, iOS 16.3 isn't the best when it comes to battery optimization. It's been fine for some people, but the update has been a big disappointment for me and many others.
What do we know about iOS 16? ›iOS 16 suggests Home Screen and Lock Screen configurations with relevant apps, wallpapers, and widgets when setting up a Focus mode, and users can directly tie an Apple Watch face to a specific Focus.
What is the downside of iOS 16? ›We're currently seeing complaints about UI lag, AirPlay issues, Touch ID and Face ID issues, Safari issues, a growing number of complaints about battery life problems, issues with the Mail app, iMessage issues, GPS issues, problems with AirDrop, issues with iMovie and Final Cut Pro, Spotlight problems, data transfer ...
Is iOS 16.3 stable? ›Apple iOS 16.3 is a useful update in terms of features, fixes and patches and early reports indicate it is stable.
When did 16.3 iOS release? ›On January 23, Apple released iOS 16.3 for iPhone and iPad users. There isn't much new about iOS 16.3. The update includes the ability to use physical security keys to protect Apple IDs.
Does iOS 16 overheat iPhone? ›The iOS 16 may have a bug that makes iPhone overheat. In addition, apps that have not been optimized to work with iOS 16 will make the iPhone be hot. Using several high-powered apps at the same time can also cause iOS 16 overheating issues.
Why is my iPhone overheating after iOS 16 update? ›Operating System and Application Bugs
You may also feel your iPhone warm due to the presence of bugs in the installed update. In addition, there may otherwise be some apps on the device that are not compatible with iOS 16. Such apps can strain the device's processor, causing it to get heated up.
Depending upon the length of time between when the iPhone was made and when it is activated, your battery capacity may show as slightly less than 100%. A normal battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles when operating under normal conditions.
Will iOS 16 have new emojis? ›iOS 16.4 update is set to bring 31 new emojis to your iPhone. From shaking face, and pink heart to many more - check the full list here. Apple has officially released the iOS 16.4 beta update and it will bring many new features.
Is iOS 16 worth upgrading? ›
The main reason to update to iOS 16 for most users will be to gain a host of new features, such as Lock Screen customization and widgets, iCloud Shared Photo Library, Passkeys, Shared Tab Groups, and enhancements to Live Text, Visual Look Up, and Dictation, as well as significant updates for Messages, Mail, Home, ...
What does iOS 16.2 do? ›Other new features of the iOS 16.2 update include Apple Music Sing, a singalong-focused upgrade to the Apple Music app, and new lock screen functions. After downloading the update, you'll be able to hide wallpaper or notifications when Always-On display is enabled on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
What bugs does iOS 16 have? ›According to users, the issues are wide-ranging, including Spotlight search glitches, the keyboard not appearing in apps, excessive battery drain, the Camera app freezing, problems with Focus modes, Apple Music app bugs, HomeKit accessories not working, and CarPlay glitches.
Can I uninstall iOS 16? ›Once you've synced any necessary files with the cloud, you're ready to erase and restore your iPhone. To complete the uninstall of iOS 16 beta, you'll need to connect your iPhone to a computer -- a Mac with the latest version of MacOS or iTunes, or a Windows computer with the latest version of iTunes.
Who can access iOS 16? ›Which iPhones support iOS 16? All iPhones from iPhone 8 and up (2017 and later).
Does iOS 16.2 drain battery? ›When Apple released iOS 16.2, many iPhone users started complaining about battery drain issues. My wife, for one, is among those users. Since she updated her iPhone 12 Pro Max to iOS 16.2, she started complaining that her iPhone's battery drained faster than before updating.
Is iOS 16 beta draining battery? ›These improvements come at a cost: iOS 16 can take a serious toll on your iPhone's battery life. What sets apart iOS 16 from many other Apple annual updates is that it affects nearly every aspect of your iPhone experience, from the lock screen to privacy and security to keyboard haptics.
What phone is iOS 16.3 for? ›Apple has confirmed that iOS 16.3 update is coming next week for iPhone users. Here's what it has for you. Always on Display- Currently only the iPhone 14 Pro models are available with the Always on display.
What is the highest iOS update so far? ›After announcing its big yearly operating system update in its WWDC keynote on June 6, 2022, and following months of beta testing, Apple made iOS 16 available to be installed on iPhones on September 12, 2022, followed by iPadOS 16.1 on October 24.
What is the oldest iPhone update? ›So that means Apple supports the iPhone 6s or newer when it comes to software updates. If you have an iPhone 6 or older and are concerned about security it is time to update your iPhone.
Is the iPhone 16 waterproof? ›
Just to be clear, no iPhone out there is completely waterproof. If you leave a phone in water or some other liquid for long enough, it's gonna die.
What is the best iPhone for a 16 year old? ›Apple's iPhone SE is the best phone for kids because it has long software support and offers the best performance you can get in a phone under $500. Battery life and camera performance are just bonuses.
What temp will iPhone shut down? ›Use iOS and iPadOS devices where the ambient temperature is between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F). Low- or high-temperature conditions might cause your device to change its behavior to regulate its temperature. Using an iOS or iPadOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life.
What problems does iOS 16.2 have? ›The current list of iOS 16.2 problems includes battery life issues, installation issues, Wi-Fi problems, Bluetooth bugs, UI lag, issues with Face ID, issues with HomeKit, and issues with various first and third-party apps.
Can overheating damage iPhone? ›Heat is not good for your iPhone, and it can damage internal components, especially the battery and processor, if you leave it running hot for too long.
Can iPhone battery health go back to 100? ›There's only one thing that you can do to keep your iPhone's battery health at 100%. Stop using your iPhone. Yup, the only way you're going to keep your iPhone's battery at 100% is to stop using it and charging it.
How many years does iPhone last? ›iPhone battery durability
For most users, this represents approximately two years of use, which is why most people believe that the lifespan of a phone is two years. However when it comes to iPhones, you can expect between three to five years (maybe more) with proper care.
It is bad, and since the battery has reached the critical point of its life, it should be replaced as soon as possible, to avoid unpredictable behavior.
What is iOS 16 always on display? ›On iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the Always On Display setting allows a dimmed version of your Lock Screen to stay visible, even when your iPhone is locked, so you can glance at your Lock Screen to check essential information, like alerts, the date, time, and information in your widgets.
When iOS 16. 4? ›iOS 16.4: Release date
Apple Music Classical is referenced in the MusicKit framework of iOS 16.4, and recently appeared in the App Store as a preorder with a launch date of March 28. This makes it likely that Apple Music Classical is meant to launch after iOS 16.4 (though the app itself requires iOS 15.4 only).
How do I change my Lock Screen on iOS 16? ›
Touch and hold the Lock Screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom of the screen, then tap Customize. Tap the box below the time to add widgets to your Lock Screen. Tap or drag the widgets you want to add. to remove a widget and make room for a new one.
Should I update to 15.7 or 16? ›“From a security standpoint, iPhone owners need to update to iOS 15.7 or iOS 16,” says Sean Wright, an independent security researcher. “Some prefer waiting for the kinks to be ironed out first, and that's understandable,” he says. However, Wright says you should eventually move over to iOS 16.
Is iOS 16 better than iOS 15? ›Compared to iOS 15, iOS16 is a minor update, but it's a bunch of small improvements that will make a big difference, especially as these also feature in macOS Ventura and iPadOS 16.
Is iOS 16.1 1 safe? ›iOS 16.1.1 Security
Apple's official security page lists patches for two vulnerabilities tracked as CVE-2022-40303 and CVE-2022-40304. Apple states that "A remote user may be able to cause unexpected app termination or arbitrary code execution” in both cases, making them significant risks.
Apple iOS 16.2 Verdict: Upgrade
Apple iOS 16.2 is shaping up to be the most important release since iOS 16. It delivers a compelling combination of new functionality and privacy, critical security patches and stability. If you are keen to get your hands on the latest features and fixes, this is the green light.
1. iOS 16.2 brought a ton of important security patches with it and you can dig into the details on Apple's security site. The update also brought end-to-end encryption to iCloud, iMessage, iPhone backups, Notes, Photos, and more. If you want to learn more about it, head over to Apple's guide.
How long does the iOS 16.2 update take? ›iOS 16 Installation- 10 to 20 Mins
Once your device starts downloading iOS 16 from Apple's server, the installation process will begin. On the latest models of Apple devices, the iOS 16 takes 10 minutes to update. It will take exactly or less than 10 minutes to download on iPhone 13 running on iOS 15.6.
Compared with iOS 15, iOS 16 has a big change in the style of the lock screen interface. On the new lock screen, we can change fonts and wallpaper, and even put widgets on the lock screen. Therefore, once we light up the screen, we can see the information presented on the widget.
What will change in iOS 16? ›- Lock Screen. Reimagined Lock Screen. ...
- Focus. Easily set up a Focus. ...
- Mail. Improved Search. ...
- Safari and Passkeys. Sign in more safely with passkeys. ...
- Dictation. Smarter Dictation. ...
- Maps. Multi-stop routing. ...
- Home. Reimagined Home app. ...
- CarPlay. Next generation of CarPlay.
iOS 16 is a free software update that is available starting today for iPhone 8 and later.
Does iOS 16.1 drain battery? ›
Battery issues have been reported ever since the release of iOS 16! While some consider that iOS 16.1. 1 is the worst release when it comes to battery management, there are other that praise their iPhone's battery performance after the update.
How many GB is iOS 16? ›How big is the iOS 16 update? The update for iOS 16 is about 2.8GB. It took me about an hour to download and install, so make sure you're not going to need your phone for a while before you start the download.
Can an iPhone be hacked? ›Although iPhones have more secure operating systems than android phones, no smartphone is immune to cyberattacks. Ultimately, hackers can infiltrate any networked digital technology — it's just a question of how and when.
Can someone see what I'm doing on my iPhone? ›Yes, a partner, parent, or even employer can gain remote, real-time access to your iPhone using spying software. Spyware can track your GPS location, record your keypad inputs such as credit card numbers and passwords, and monitor your calls, texts, app usage, emails, voice, and other personal data.
Is iOS 16.2 good? ›Apple iOS 16.2 Verdict: Upgrade
Apple iOS 16.2 is shaping up to be the most important release since iOS 16. It delivers a compelling combination of new functionality and privacy, critical security patches and stability. If you are keen to get your hands on the latest features and fixes, this is the green light.
- iPhone 14.
- iPhone 14 Plus.
- iPhone 14 Pro.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 13.
- iPhone 13 mini.
- iPhone 13 Pro.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The current list of iOS 16.2 problems includes battery life issues, installation issues, Wi-Fi problems, Bluetooth bugs, UI lag, issues with Face ID, issues with HomeKit, and issues with various first and third-party apps.
How long does iOS 16.2 take? ›Once your device starts downloading iOS 16 from Apple's server, the installation process will begin. On the latest models of Apple devices, the iOS 16 takes 10 minutes to update.
What is new in iOS 16? ›iOS 16.2: This update includes the FreeForm app (which is available across all devices including iPhone, iPad, and Mac), Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, Apple Music Sing, SharePlay support in Game Center, and the ability to hide your wallpaper or notifications when Always-On Display is turned on (only on the ...
Will iOS 16 slow down my iPhone 11? ›If your iPhone's storage space is running out or there is little storage space available after installing the new iOS 16, your iPhone 11 would slow down or show signs of decline in performance. It's suggested that you should delete unnecessary apps and app caches before updating your iPhone 11 to iOS 16.
Which is best iOS 15 or iOS 16? ›
iOS 16 vs iOS 15: Lock screen
While iOS 15 does a decent job of improving the system's look and feel, the initial screen you encounter is still a little on the basic side. Thanks to the new Lock Screen in iOS 16, that's no longer the case. You may customise how the information shows on the screen with this function.
iOS 16 brings a brand new sign-in method that's end-to-end encrypted and safe from phishing and data leaks.