The release date for iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3 and watchOS 10.3 was confirmed in today’s announcement of the new Black Unity Apple Watch band.
iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3 and watchOS 10.3 will all launch publicly next Tuesday, January 23, according to the footnote in the official announcement in the Apple Newsroom.
Apple just launched Release Candidate versions of iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, watchOS 10.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3 and tvOS 14.3, meaning public releases are imminent.
Apple sets the iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3 and watchOS 10.3 release dates to January 23
iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3 and watchOS 10.3 are required to use the 2024 Unity Bloom watch face and wallpaper and their special customization features.
As an example, the new Unity Bloom wallpaper which ships alongside iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 displays an outline of flowers on your iPhone and iPad’s Lock Screen that “fill with color when the display is active.”
The new Unity Bloom watch face includes customization to choose between a full-bloom or single-bloom arrangement. Upon wrist raise, “the flowers begin to bloom and fill with vibrant hues.” This watch face requires the watchOS 10.3 update.
What’s new in iOS 17.3 and watchOS 10.3?
There aren’t many significant new features in these mid-cycle updates. IOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 bring Apple’s new Stolen Device Protection feature, Apple Music playlist collaboration, support for AirPlay in hotels and the latest security patches.
According to release notes for watchOS 10.3, this update packs new features, improvements and bug fixes, “including new Unity Bloom watch face to honor Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month.”