Apple revealed Wednesday that iOS 17.3 will be out “next week.” The major feature is Stolen Device Protection, a new system for protecting the personal information of users.
It’s likely new versions of iPadOS, macOS and watchOS will also debut at the same time.
iOS 17.3 release date is right around the corner
Beta testing for iOS 17.3 began in December. Right from the start, the standout addition has been Stolen Device Protection. As the iPhone-maker says, “This new feature adds an additional layer of security in the unlikely case that someone has stolen your phone and also obtained your passcode.”
The feature requires Face ID/Touch ID to access saved passwords. Plus, changing the Apple ID passcode also requires Face ID/Touch ID and a wait. It can’t be changed quickly.
Other changes expected in iOS 17.3 include Apple Music playlist collaboration, a much-anticipated feature.
Apple said the new version is required for the just-announced Unity Bloom iPhone and iPad wallpaper for the Lock Screen. And that the wallpaper will be “available next week,” which is impossible if the iOS update isn’t out.
The iOS 17.3 release candidate was seeded to developers on Wednesday, so the launch is still several days away — devs need about a week to test the final version.
Mac, iPad, Apple Watch updates on the way, also
In addition to beta testing iOS 17.3, Apple also has developers checking betas of macOS 14.3, iPadOS 17.3, watchOS 10.3 and tvOS 17.3. And they got their RCs on Wednesday, too. The Mac-maker will almost certainly introduce all five updates simultaneously.
That’s the company’s general habit — though, there are occasional exceptions — because it makes using cross-platform features simpler for users.
