iOS 18.3 Beta 2: What’s New and What to Expect
Apple has officially released iOS 18.3 Beta 2 for developers, with the public beta expected to follow soon. This update is available for all devices that support iOS 18 and brings several new features, improvements, and bug fixes. In this blog post, we’ll explore what’s new in iOS 18.3 Beta 2, including the build number, new features, and performance enhancements.
Build Number and Update Size
The build number for iOS 18.3 Beta 2 is 22D504d. The update size varies depending on the device, with the iPhone 16 Pro Max receiving a 96 MB update, while other devices may see larger update sizes, sometimes over a gigabyte.
New Features and Changes
Modem Update
One of the significant changes in iOS 18.3 Beta 2 is a modem update. For the iPhone 16 Pro Max and 16 Pro, the modem firmware has been updated from version 1.4.02 to 1.4.3. This update may vary for other devices.
Calculator App Enhancement
A notable new feature in the Calculator app is the ability to perform repeating functions. For example, you can now multiply a number and continuously hit the equals button to repeat the multiplication. This feature was not available in previous versions of iOS 18.
Apple Intelligence
Apple is working on improving the notification summaries provided by Apple Intelligence. While no significant updates have been made in this beta, Apple has acknowledged the issue and plans to release a software update in the coming weeks to enhance this feature.
Image Playground
There were expectations of improvements to the Image Playground feature, but it appears to remain the same in this beta.
Satellite Communication Services
iOS 18.3 Beta 1 introduced an option for companies using Mobile Device Management (MDM) to disable Satellite Communication services. This feature is designed for defense and space agencies and is likely still present in Beta 2.
T-Mobile Satellite Connectivity
Some T-Mobile users have reported looking for an option to use cellular connectivity while beta testing the satellite feature. This option may be available in Beta 2, but it has not been confirmed.
Battery Intelligence
Battery Intelligence, which provides an estimate of charging time when the phone is locked, has not been enabled in this beta. This feature was present in early code but is yet to be activated.
Robot Vacuum Support
iOS 18.3 Beta 2 includes support for Robot Vacuums in the Home app, allowing users to control their robot vacuums through HomeKit.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
Gen Mooji
Apple has fixed an issue where personalized Gen Mooji might not generate without selecting a different person first.
HealthKit
HealthKit authorizations granted by the user for a data type might not persist, resulting in the app being unable to access data. This issue has been resolved.
Writing Tools
An issue for third-party apps using the Writing Tools API, where the first responder is not a UI view, has been fixed. This allows for a complete inline experience.
Notifications
The issue with light mode and dark mode icons appearing even if one mode was set has been resolved.
Home Screen Saturation Bug
The home screen saturation bug, where the screen oversaturates itself, is still present in this beta. It was resolved for some users in iOS 18.2.1 but remains an issue for others.
Performance and Battery Life
Initial impressions of iOS 18.3 Beta 2 suggest that it feels smooth and stable. There is less lag when scrolling, and ProMotion looks good. Apps open quickly without lag, and there are no touch issues reported.
Conclusion
iOS 18.3 Beta 2 brings several new features, bug fixes, and performance improvements. While it may not introduce many visible changes, it works under the hood to enhance stability and performance. If you are a developer or a public beta tester, it is worth installing this update to benefit from the latest improvements.