iOS 10.3

Beta 3 of iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 released for public beta testing

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 21, 2017

iOS 10.3 beta 3 with Find My AirPods and other enhancements and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 beta 3 with Night Shift Mode and other perks are both now available for public beta-testing, assuming you've enrolled in Apple's Beta Software Program. After signing up on the web at beta.apple.com, deploy a special configuration profile on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac and you'll be able to install the latest beta over-the-air via Apple's standard Software Update mechanism.

New in iOS 10.3: name and shame list for outdated 32-bit apps

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 20, 2017

Apple today seeded a third beta of iOS 10.3 to members of the Apple Developer Program. It's nothing to write home about in terms of new stuff, with the notable exception of a curious new section suggesting that iOS 11 is likely going to be 64-bit only. The first beta of iOS 10.3 introduced a reworded prompt when launching 32-bit apps.

In iOS 10.3 beta 3, there's now a dedicated section within the Settings app where any outdated apps installed on the user's device are named and shamed.

iOS 10.3 beta 3 seeded to developers

Christian Zibreg ∙ February 20, 2017

Apple this morning seeded to members of the Apple Developer Program a third beta of what would become the iOS 10.3 software update with Find My AirPods and a bunch of other new features. iOS 10.3 beta 3 (build 14E5249d) is available over the air via Software Update on devices with an appropriate configuration profile installed. We'll update the article with possible new changes discovered in beta 3 if we encounter them. New betas of macOS Sierra, watchOS 3.2 and tvOS 10.2 are available for developer testing, too.

Possible downgrade to iOS 10.2 from iOS 10.2.1 for some users

Joaquim Barbosa ∙ Updated February 23, 2021

Are you are stuck on iOS 10.2.1 or higher, having missed the iOS 10.2 signing window and therefore the Yalu jailbreak? If so, you may be in luck today, provided you have the correct setup. Early reports have come in that some devices are creating nonce collisions on iOS 10.3 b1, providing an indirect route back to iOS 10.2 through Prometheus.

For this clever workaround to come off, you must have a device which produces collisions, namely the iPhone 5s or (possibly, though not confirmed on iOS 10.3 b1), an iPad Air. If you do, you may be able to downgrade from iOS 10.2.1 to iOS 10.2 and jailbreak, by first downloading and installing iOS 10.3 beta 1, and then downgrading to iOS 10.2 using futurerestore.

Apple seeds second beta of iOS 10.3, watchOS 3.2 & tvOS 10.2

Cody Lee ∙ February 6, 2017

Apple on Monday seeded to its registered developers second betas of what would become iOS 10.3, watchOS 3.2 and tvOS 10.2 software updates. iOS 10.3 beta 2 (build 14E5239e), watchOS 3.2 beta 2 (build 14V5214d) and tvOS 10.2 beta 2 (build 14W5231d) can now be deployed on devices with a prior beta and an appropriate configuration profile.

The latest betas arrived two weeks after iOS 10.3 launched for developer testing and a week following the first beta of watchOS 3.2. tvOS 10.2 beta 1 arrived on January 24.

32-bit apps may no longer work with future iOS versions

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 31, 2017

A beta of iOS 10.3 that was seeded to developers last week comes with an updated app compatibility warning which cautions users that 32-bit apps may no longer work with future iOS versions, suggesting iOS 11 will likely stop supporting non-64-bit apps. In June 2015, Apple warned developers that all apps and app updates submitted to App Store must include 64-bit support alongside 32-bit code.

When a user launches a 32-bit app, iOS 9 puts up a warning saying using 32-bit software on a 64-bit device may affect system performance. The wording of the prompt has changed in iOS 10.3 beta 1 and now specifically states that 32-bit apps may stop functioning on future iOS editions completely.

iOS 10.3 has hidden support for one-handed floating iPad keyboard

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2017

Another hidden keyboard has been uncovered in iOS, according to developer Steve Troughton-Smith who last night tweeted about his discovery of a one-handed floating iPad keyboard in iOS 10.3 beta code.

While not exposed to users just yet, Steve was able to activate this new keyboard by hacking Apple's iOS Simulator app that developers use to test work-in-progress code on their Mac.

Apple releases iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 4 for public beta testing

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 26, 2017

Following yesterday's release of developer-only previews of the upcoming iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 software updates, Apple today made the new betas available to public beta testers who are enrolled in Apple Beta Software Program.

iOS 10.3 public beta can be installed via the Software Update mechanism on iOS devices with an appropriate configuration profile installed. macOS Sierra 10.12.4 public beta can be downloaded on your Mac through Mac App Store's Updates tab.

iOS 10.3 brings support for Verizon Wi-Fi Calling on other iCloud-connected devices

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 25, 2017

U.S. wireless carriers like AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile have supported Wi-Fi Calling for some time now, with AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile also supporting Wi-Fi Calling on other iCloud-connected devices like iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch and Mac. According to user reports on MacRumors' forums, iOS 10.3 beta 1 supports Integrated Calling on Verizon.

With this handy feature, compatible iCloud-signed devices can make and receive calls using your carrier's account even when your iPhone isn't nearby.

Apple will soon allow developers to respond publicly to App Store reviews

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 25, 2017

Following yesterday's release of iOS 10.3 and macOS Sierra 10.12.4 betas, Apple announced new features allowing iPhone, iPad and Mac developers to respond publicly to reviews on App Store and Mac App Store while letting customers provide ratings and reviews without leaving their app.

Speaking to The Loop's Jim Dalrymple and Daring Fireball's John Gruber, the Cupertino company provided some noteworthy highlights outlining the upcoming App Store review policy changes.

Apple releases iOS 10.3 beta 1 to developers with Find My AirPods & other new features

Christian Zibreg ∙ January 25, 2017

Apple today seeded the first beta of what would become the third major software update to iOS 10 since its September 2016 release. The release includes a new Find My AirPods feature and other enhancements, like Reduce Motion for websites.

iOS 10.3 beta 1 (build 14E5230e) is available to registered developers who are members of Apple Developer Program. A version of the software aimed at public beta testers registered with Apple Beta Software Program is expected shortly.

Rumor: Apple seeding first iOS 10.3 beta on January 10 with new ‘Theatre’ mode

Cody Lee ∙ January 2, 2017

Apple is going to begin seeding iOS 10.3 betas next week, reports Sonny Dickson. The noted tipster tweeted out over the weekend that iOS 10.3 beta 1 is currently scheduled to be released to developers on January 10 with an all-new 'Theatre' mode.

Dickson doesn't go into detail on exactly what 'Theatre' mode is, but does say that it will feature a popcorn-shaped icon in Control Center. It's possible this is a stealth mode of sorts, with either a dimmed display or dark UI assets for less distraction.