In a press release about the 2024 Black Unity Collection, Apple has confirmed that it will release iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 to the general public next week. So, expect to see a notification about the new software update on your iPhone and iPad between 21 and 27 January 2024. However, experts believe that Apple will drop iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 on 22 or 23 January 2024. Here are the iPhone and iPad models eligible for the new update and a rundown of the features that iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 offer.
iPhone and iPad models eligible for iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3
According to Apple, iOS 17.3 will be available to “iPhone Xs or later”, and iPadOS 17.3 will be available to “iPad (6th generation and later), iPad mini (5th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation and later), 10.5-inch iPad Pro, and 11-inch iPad Pro (1st generation and later).”
iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 features
iOS 17.3 will bring three major features: Stolen Device Protection, Collaborative Playlists in Apple Music, and Unity Bloom wallpapers. While there’s no information if iPadOS 17.3 will offer Stolen Device Protection, it will come with the other two features.
Starting with Stolen Device Protection, it is a set of security measures to prevent someone (a thief) from accessing a stolen iPhone even if they know the passcode of the device. With this feature, an iPhone will require Face ID or Touch ID authentication to perform certain actions, such as removing the Apple ID from the device or resetting the device, with no option to use a passcode. Stolen Device Protection also comes with Security Delay, where an iPhone will require a biometric authentication after one hour of making any change to the passcode of the device or the Apple ID in it.
Coming to Collaborative Playlists, this feature enables you to allow other people to add, remove, or order songs in your playlist. Those people can also leave an animated emoji reaction on a song to let other people in the playlist know how they feel about the song. This feature makes it possible for you to build a playlist in collaboration with other people, and share music experiences. As for the Unity Bloom wallpapers, Apple is offering them to celebrate Black History Month. These wallpapers show an outline of flowers on the lock screen and “fill with color when the display is active.”
