The iOS 11.3 Software update is a huge upgrade for all the compatible iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. will be a huge upgrade for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch models capable of running iOS 11. Apple recently releases iOS 11.2.6 as another maintenance update to address a couple of important bugs in iOS 11. This is likely the last iOS 11.2 point update and next, we are looking at the iOS 11.3 release.
Unlike iOS 11.2.6, the iOS 11.3 is a milestone update for Apple’s mobile operating system. Any milestone update for the mobile operating system comes with a host of new features, bug fixes, patches, and improvements.
Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the iOS 11.3 software update for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices. To make things easier for you, here is what is covered:
Table of Content
iOS 11.3 Compatible Devices
iOS 11.3 supports the following iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch devices:
- iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2nd Gen, 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 10.5-inch iPad Pro, 9.7-inch iPad Pro, iPad 5th Generation, iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad Mini 4, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2
- iPod Touch 6th Generation
iOS 11.3 Download
iOS 11.3 is available for download now. We have a dedicated page containing iOS 11.3 download links. We also have dedicated pages to download iOS versions for iPhone, iPad, and the iPhone Touch here:
iOS 11.3 Features
The iOS 11.3 final version is still weeks away. We’f probably see a couple more beta version before hitting the final public release. Earlier this year, Apple promised to release “new features that give users more visibility into the health of their iPhone’s battery, so they can see for themselves if its condition is affecting performance.” iOS 11.3 is all set to deliver these promised features to the iPhone users.
First of all, iMessages in iCloud, the iMessage cloud syncing feature we were promised at WWDC 2017 will finally make it to our iPhone screens this spring. There are also new Animoji, better ARKit features and yes, Apple’s promised battery management feature is coming as well.
Here is a quick rundown of some of the prominent new features of iOS 11.3:
Messages on iCloud
With iOS 11.3, you will be able to save all your iMessages in your iCloud account. Only the latest iMessages will appear on your device and as you’d scroll up or search something, you’ll be able to find the entire archive as well. Apple claims that this would help iPhone users in saving about 4-8GB of storage on their device without having to delete anything. This will also make the transfer of iMessages from older iPhone to a newer one very convenient.
New Animoji Characters
iOS 11.3 gets four new Animoji characters including a lion, a bear, a dragon, and skull. Animoji works inside iMessage.
Health Record
Apple, in collaboration with several hospitals, institutions, and clinics, has created a feature in the Health app to keep Health records in a new way. The Health app in iOS 11.3 will aggregate and keep all your health-related data in one convenient and easy to use place inside the app. that is if your medical records are linked with one of the supported medical institutions. Apple has also tightened the security of your health data by encrypting your health records and protecting it with a passcode.
ARKit 1.5
With iOS 11.3, ARKit will finally recognize vertical spaces allowing you to put up objects on doors and walls. It will now be able to recognize surfaces that are not perfectly square such as a fancy handcrafted table. ARKit 1.5 is capable of recognizing 2D images such as posters and signs and integrate them into your experience. ARKit goes 1080p, a huge bump in quality.
Battery Management
Apple has finally introduced a power management feature in iOS 11.3. While the feature is not available right off the bat, the company will push it in a later beta release of iOS 11.3. When the BatteryGate hit the company really hard, Apple promised to introduce a toggle that lets users disable CPU throttling if their battery health is below a threshold. The feature will also provide battery health-related information under the Battery section in Settings app of the iPhone 6 or newer models.
Business Chat
iOS 11.3 also gets the Business Chat feature. This feature allows iOs 11.3 users to contact businesses through iMessages without providing them any personal information unless user him/herself provides it. With Apple’sprivacy-first approach, the user can end the chat anytime he/she like and the business won’t be able to approach you again themselves.
Video in Apple Music
Apple’s music streaming service app Apple Music will now have a dedicated section for videos. Under this section, the Apple Music users will be able to view videos. At this point, there is not much detail available about this feature but this could be something similar to YouTube’s Music service. Apple Music will provide these videos without ads. In iOS 11.3, when you tap on the title of the track, you are presented with a list of options to choose from such as artist, album, or the playlist.
HomeKit Improvements
With iOS 11.3, Apple has introduced a new software authentication system. With this new feature, manufacturers can add HomeKit support to existing devices. Before this, the devices needed hardware authentication. With this new update, the number of devices compatible with HomeKit is expected to swell pretty much.
For a detailed rundown of all the new and hidden features of iOS 11.3, please check out the post linked below.
iOS 11.3 Updates
iOS 11.3 Release Date
For any major iOS update, Apple is known for releasing several beta version before pushing the final version to the masses. So, do not expect iOS 11.3 release date to be around early March.
The official word is that the iOS 11.3 release date will be “Spring” 2018. In the United States, the Spring starts on March 20th and run through June 21st. Apple has also promised to deliver the iOS 11.3 update in “early 2018,” so it won’t get delayed until June either.
If we have a look at history, Apple released the final version of iOS 10.3 in late March. In 2016, Apple released the final version of iOS 9.3 in late March as well. Both of these updates were launched in an around the company’s media event. Rumors have it that Apple plans on launching iPhone SE 2 this spring so we could see iOS 11.3 release alongside the launch of new hardware.
There is a very good chance that iOS 11.3 will be Apple’s final milestone update for iOS 11 operating system. Last year, iOS 10.3 turned out to be the final milestone upgrade to the iOS 10 and the same thing happened to iOS 9 with iOS 9.3 being the final milestone for it. This does not mean that there won’t be any iOS 11 updates after iOS 11.3. We’d probably see a few more maintenance updates between March and September to address few more bugs before Apple jumps over to the next generation mobile operating system.
iOS 11.3 Beta
Apple has announced to release the final version of iOS 11.3 to the general public sometime in Spring 2018. If you just cannot wait that long and would want to try iOS 11.3 right now, you should consider installing a beta version.
Apple is known for releasing several beta versions prior to pushing the final build of an upcoming iOS update, and iOS 11.3 is no different. Apple has already released a few of beta version for the iOS 11.3 software version ahead of the final release.
The beta version of iOS 11.3 is available to both the registered iOS developers and to those who have enrolled in Apple’s Public Beta Testing program. The Developers program is subject to an annual subscription fee while the Public Beta Program is free though and only requires an Apple ID.
If you want to try iOS 11.3 beta prior to its final release, you should check out our iOS 11.3 beta installation guide to avoid some common issues. Keep in mind that beta software is in no way a stable release meant for the general public. Apple releases ioS 11.3 beta version in order to allow developers to make their apps compatible with the upcoming software version beforehand.
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