Apple released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, which means we're now ready for a new round of beta testing.
The latest iPhone release is important and includes features and bug fixes—and an important change to Apple Intelligence
Here's everything you need to know about all the latest features, and here's what future updates could bring to your iPhone.
Apple iOS 18.3 is compatible with all iPhones that can run iOS 18. This means all iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards, including the second- and third-generation iPhone SE models.
iOS 18.3 doesn't add any significant new features to Apple Intelligence—instead, it tweaks what's already there. Whereas Apple Intelligence was opt-in in previous OS versions, it is now on by default in iOS 18.3 on supported devices.
Fortunately, it's super easy to turn off, but it goes to show that Apple Intelligence is here to stay in the walled garden.
Apple not only installed iOS 18.3 on iPhones, it also turned on, by default, Apple Intelligence. You may love it. Unless you don't. And there are reasons for both.
Apple has kicked off iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and MacOS 15.3 with one significant change affecting AI. Since its debut, Apple Intelligence has required the extra step of actually turning it on or opting in. But with the new versions, Apple's AI feature is enabled by default for eliglble devices.
Apple wants to ensure it has a voice in the remedies trial for the Justice Department’s search monopolization case against Google, and filed an emergency motion to stay the proceedings while it appeals the district court’s denial of its request to be more directly heard in the case.
The first big news in iOS 18.3 is that Apple Intelligence is now enabled by default. You’ll still need an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max to access Apple’s suite of sometimes-good, sometimes-bad AI features, but if you hadn’t already enabled them, iOS 18.3 will do it for you.
For those who love to get creative with their images, iOS 18.4 introduces a fresh set of styles for Apple’s image generation tool, including a new "Sketch" option. This will give users even more ways to express their creativity and experiment with different looks when generating images, offering an extra layer of fun to the iPhone’s capabilities.