Apple’s iOS 16.3 update is available now, and it brings new features, bug fixes, and security updates to your iPhone. One of the biggest new features in iOS 16.3 means that you can now use Security Keys to protect your Apple ID.
The update was released alongside updates to other Apple software, such as iPadOS, Safari, and previous versions of iOS. The latest iOS update comes almost a month after the release of iOS 16.2.
Here are the new features coming to your iPhone with iOS 16.3, released on January 23.
Security keys come with Apple ID
Users can now use third-party security keys instead of two-factor authentication for their Apple IDs.
Security keys are like keys to your house. You still use a password, but this extra layer of security can help protect you from phishing scams and hackers.
Security keys add more security to your device.
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
“Hardware security keys are very, very secure,” Dia Jolly, chief product officer at authentication service company Okta, told CNET’s Stephen Shankland.
Apple’s Security Keys only work with FIDO Alliance-certified security keys.
Support for 2nd-gen HomePod
Apple’s iOS 16.3 software will support the second-generation HomePod, which is set to release on February 3 for $299 (299, AU$479). Apple announced the release of the new HomePod four days before the latest iOS software was made available.
New Unity Wallpaper for Black History Month
Screenshot by Zach McAuliffe/CNET
The latest iOS update includes a new iPhone wallpaper as part of Apple’s Black Unity collection. The collection celebrates Black History Month with a special-edition Apple Watch Black Unity Sport loop, Mosaic watch face, and new iPhone wallpapers. Apple also plans to release a selection of Black History Month content as part of the collection on TV, Fitness Plus, Music, Maps, Books, Podcasts and the App Store.
New ways to use Emergency SOS via satellite
Emergency SOS was introduced via satellite at Apple’s event in September. In iOS 16.3, call with hold replaced by option call with hold and release, if you enable call with hold and release, You can press and hold the Side button and the Volume button to start the countdown and alarm. After the countdown, you release the button and your iPhone will automatically call emergency services. before this call with hold, Pressing the Side button and the Volume button will first bring up the Emergency SOS Call slider. If you continue to hold the buttons, the countdown starts and the alarm goes off. After the countdown ends, your phone will make an emergency call.
also has the option call quietly In Emergency SOS. With this option enabled, your phone will not start flashing or sounding an alarm when you try to make an emergency SOS call.
Here is the list of new features and changes included in iOS 16.3.
- New Unity Wallpapers honors Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month.
- Security Keys for Apple IDs allow users to strengthen the security of their accounts by requiring a physical security key as part of the two-factor authentication sign in process on new devices.
- Support for HomePod (2nd generation).
- Emergency SOS calls now require holding the side button along with the up or down volume button and releasing to prevent accidental emergency calls.
- Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes made with the Apple Pencil or your finger might not appear on shared boards.
- Addresses an issue where the wallpaper on the lock screen may appear black.
- Fixes an issue where horizontal lines could temporarily appear when waking the iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- Fixes an issue where the Home lock screen widget did not accurately display the state of the Home app.
- Addresses an issue where Siri may not properly respond to music requests
- Fixes an issue where Siri requests in CarPlay may not be interpreted correctly.
For more iOS 16 news, see What new features were added to iOS 16.2 and iOS 16.1. Here’s how you can sign up to test out Apple’s iOS beta software.
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