Apple’s iOS 17.3 Is Here With New Key Features
Apple’s new security update, iOS 17.3, has been released. This update comes with new protection features, collaborative playlists, new wallpapers, and more.
On January 22, Apple officially released the iOS 17.3 update, and Apple users are excitedly updating their devices to access the new features.
iOS 17.3 comes with a new security feature geared towards anti-theft protection. The Stolen Device Protection feature requires Face ID or Touch ID to access sensitive information, turn off Lost Mode, and make purchases. Moreover, changing Apple ID passwords requires Face or Touch ID authentication and a one-hour wait period. These requirements are unnecessary if users are in a trusted location, such as home or work.
You can turn on Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 for added security.
— Apple Support (@AppleSupport) January 22, 2024
Here’s how it works: https://t.co/FwWomjqjtf pic.twitter.com/Sy81Ex7yT3
This feature comes after numerous reports of thieves spying on Apple users to learn their passcodes, leading to untraceable devices, fraudulent bank activity, and stolen passwords.
Another new feature coming with the update is collaborative playlists on Apple Music. Apple Music can now share new or pre-existing playlists with friends, family, and other users. Currently, there are no reports of a maximum number of collaborators allowed on a playlist. Apple allows users to approve anyone looking to join the playlist, but they can also leave the playlist open for anyone to join.
Furthermore, users can now use emojis to react to songs playing on their devices. Apple gives listeners a list of standard emojis to choose from, but if they click the + symbol, they are given a more expansive selection.
Apple Music in iOS 17.3 now features animated emoji reactions in collaborative playlists pic.twitter.com/JCG759gHxp
— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) January 22, 2024
When listeners play a song from a collaborative playlist, they are shown the reactions of other playlist members as the song begins.
iOS 17.3 also allows users to airplay content from their devices to compatible hotel appliances without having to log in on the hotel’s appliances. Also new with iOS 17.3 is users’ ability to see the status of all their devices’ Apple Coverage on one page.
The latest #iOS 17.3 update lets you see all your devices and their warranty statuses on a single page, which is pretty neat. pic.twitter.com/KjHkL0KZYa
— NekoMichi (@NekoMichiUBC) January 22, 2024
Additionally, users can find new wallpapers titled “Unity Bloom” in honor of Black History Month in the settings app. In addition to iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple Watch bands also got these wallpapers.
The new Unity Bloom wallpaper will come to iPhone and iPad through the iOS 17.3 & iPadOS 17.3 update, which will be released next week. pic.twitter.com/eLRjevPTWW
— Beta Profiles (@BetaProfiles) January 17, 2024
Apple Watch users have also received a new update, Watch OS 10.3, which is now ready to be downloaded. The new update comes with the new “Unity Bloom” designs, customary bug fixes, and improvements.
watchOS 10.3 now available with new ‘Unity Bloom’ Apple Watch face https://t.co/2tCgxebTpg pic.twitter.com/jSYT0Apdfs
— Frank Brown (@iAskTank) January 22, 2024
Further updates include improvements to the crash detection feature and TV and movie wish-lists on the iTunes store. Check out Apple’s official document for a detailed list of iOS 17.3’s security update features.
