A text bug on your iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch has been fixed with iOS 17.3.1, iPadOS 17.3.1, macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 and watchOS 10.3.1.
Apple released the above software updates to the public on February 8, 2024, addressing an issue where “text may unexpectedly duplicate or overlap while typing.”
I saw this bug in action. It would intermittently appear while typing, but I hadn’t realized it was so widespread to warrant a point update from Apple.
iOS 17.3.1 fixes an annoying iPhone text bug
No other description was provided in the company’s official release notes for iOS 17.3.1, iPadOS 17.3.1, macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 and watchOS 10.3.1.
Moreover, Apple’s page that lists security updates for its software notes that these updates have no published CVE entries, meaning they contain no security patches.
To install iOS and iPadOS 17.3.1 on your iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the onscreen instructions.
To install macOS Sonoma 14.3.1 on your Mac, right-click System Settings from the Dock and choose Software Update from the contextual menu.
To install watchOS 10.3.1, open the Settings app on your Apple Watch and go to General > Software Update. Or, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, select the My Watch tab at the bottom and navigate to General > Software Update.
iOS 17.4 is coming in March
Apple is also testing iOS 17.4 and related updates that will arrive in March, bringing significant changes to the App Store and in-app payments to European Union countries to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act.
iOS 17.4 also includes a dozen improvements, such as the option to always require a security delay for the Stolen Device Protection feature, along with new emojis and directional modifiers such as facing left or right.
There are also new CarPlay apps for in-car features like climate control and rear-view cameras. SharePlay is available in the Music app on HomePod and Apple TV, letting you create house parties where anyone you invite can be a DJ. Apple Podcasts now displays show transcripts and Siri can read back messages in multiple languages.
Lastly, a new API for third-party developers could solve inappropriate video reactions in videoconferencing apps by disabling hand gestures by default.