Apple launched iOS 16 back in September. This major release includes an overhauled, customizable Lock Screen, in addition to improvements across Messages, Mail, and other system apps. Since then, the great iPhone maker has been developing minor 16.X releases, such as iOS 16.1. These smaller updates introduce some missing features we saw during WWDC22, like the Apple Freeform app, while fixing leftover bugs and patching security vulnerabilities.
Now that the Cupertino firm has released iOS 16.2 publicly, it has started working on the next 16.X release. Lo and behold — iOS 16.3 Release Candidate (RC) is now available to those registered in the Apple Developer Program. Here’s what’s new in this updated build.
What’s new in iOS 16.3 Release Candidate
iOS 16.3 introduces a new Black Unity wallpaper that matches the Apple Watch face included on watchOS 9.3. You can view and set it by heading to the wallpaper settings.
iCloud Advanced Data Protection worldwide
iOS 16.3 brings Advanced Data Protection to users worldwide, after it initially debuted in the U.S. The feature end-to-end encrypts even more iCloud data types, such as device backups, notes, photos, and more.
We’re still in the process of digging through iOS 16.3 Release Candidate. We will update this article if we discover any other new visual changes or features. In the meantime, consider checking Apple’s official Release Notes — where the company typically highlights some of the known bugs and fixes included in a particular release.
iOS 16.3 beta 2 replaces the Countdown Sound toggle with Call Quietly in Emergency SOS settings. The functionality isn’t new, but Apple has rephrased its description to further clarify what this option is all about. It has also made some minor changes to other toggles’ wording, as the before/after screenshots above reflect.
iOS 16.3 beta 1 also introduces support for physical FIDO-certified security keys. These act as an optional layer of added security to your Apple ID. After setting one up, every time you log into your Apple ID account, you will need to scan or plug in the physical security key instead of relying on a two-factor authentication code sent to your other Apple devices.