Apple Stops Signing iOS 16.3.1 to Prevent Downgrading

Following the release of iOS 16.4.1 today, Apple has stopped signing iOS 16.3.1, preventing iPhone users from downgrading to that software version. iOS 16.4, iOS 16.4.1, and the iOS 16.5 beta remain signed at the time of writing.


iOS 16.3.1 was released on February 13 and was a minor update with bug fixes, security improvements, and additional Crash Detection optimizations for iPhone 14 models. Apple routinely stops signing older iOS releases over time in order to prevent users from downgrading to an outdated software version.

iOS 16.4 will likely be unsigned later this month, so iPhone users who wish to downgrade to that version have limited time remaining to do so.


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iOS 16.4.1 and macOS 13.3.1 address two security vulnerabilities

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iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1 for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, respectively, and it's a good idea to install them as soon as you can because all three updates include important security fixes.


According to Apple's security support documents for iOS and macOS, the new software includes fixes for two separate vulnerabilities, both of which were known by Apple to have been actively exploited in the wild.

The IOSurfaceAccelerator vulnerability could allow an app to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple addressed the out-of-bounds write issue with improved input validation. The WebKit vulnerability could allow maliciously crafted web content to execute code. Apple fixed this issue with improved memory management.

Google's Threat Analysis Group and Amnesty International's Security Lab are credited with finding and reporting both issues to Apple.

Apple has also released a new Safari 16.4.1 update for macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur, which likely addresses the WebKit vulnerability.
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Apple Releases iOS 16.4.1 With Fixes For Siri Response Issues and Other Bugs

Apple today released iOS 16.4.1, a minor update to the iOS 16 operating system that first came out last September. iOS 16.4.1 is a bug fix update that comes almost two weeks after the launch of iOS 16.4, an update that introduced new Emoji, Safari Web Push notifications, Voice Isolation for phone calls, and more.


‌‌iOS 16‌‌‌.4.1 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

According to Apple's release notes, iOS 16.4.1 add a fix for an issue that could cause Siri not to respond in some cases, and it adds skin tones variations for the pushing hands emoji.

This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone including:

- Pushing hands emoji does not show skin tone variations
- Siri does not respond in some cases

Apple is already testing iOS 16.5, a follow up to ‌iOS 16‌, and the company will soon transition to working on iOS 17, the next-generation version of iOS that is expected to see an introduction at WWDC in June.
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Apple Now Testing iOS 16.4.1 for iPhone With Bug Fixes Expected

Following a rumor that iOS 16.4.1 is in the works, we can now independently confirm that Apple is testing the software update internally. It's unclear when the update will be released, but it will likely be available within the next week or two.


Like other minor updates, iOS 16.4.1 will likely be focused on bug fixes and/or security patches. Since iOS 16.4 was released last week, some iPhone users have complained about being forced to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords occasionally, and various user interface glitches. Some users continue to complain about Weather app data failing to display too, despite Apple's system status page indicating that issue is now resolved.

iOS 16.4.1 will be a stopgap until iOS 16.5 is released around May. Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 16.5 last week with a few minor changes, including a Sports tab in the Apple News app and the ability to start a screen recording with Siri.

Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 during the WWDC 2023 keynote on June 5, so the iOS 16 software cycle is nearing its completion.
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Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications and More

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. Today's betas come one week after the release of the second public betas.


Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's free beta testing program can download the ‌iOS 16.4‌ beta over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website.

This is the last beta that will use certificates in this way as future beta updates will be linked to an Apple ID for both developers and public beta testers.

The iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates add a number of new emoji characters, including shaking head, pink heart, blue heart, gray heart, donkey, moose, black bird, goose, wing, jellyfish, hyacinth, pea pod, ginger, fan, comb, flute, maracas, and left and right facing hand options.


Safari Web Push notifications are available, but web developers will need to add support. With this feature, you can add a website to your Home Screen and the website can send you push notifications, just like on the Mac. These notifications behave like any other iOS notification and can be filtered out with Focus mode, delivered on Apple Watch, and more.

There's a new add to ‌Home Screen‌ option for third-party browsers so you can add a favorite Chrome site directly to your ‌Home Screen‌, plus the HomeKit architecture upgrade that was pulled from iOS 16.2 is now available again. The second beta reintroduces the page turning animation in Apple Books, and it has hints of Apple Music Classical.

Apple has made minor tweaks to the Podcasts app, ‌Apple Music‌ app, and the AppleCare coverage interface, plus there are new Shortcuts, 5G connectivity in Turkey, an option to add an always-on display filter to Focus more, and more. Full details on everything new can be found in our dedicated iOS 16.4 guide.
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iOS 16.4 Will Let You Specify an Apple ID to Use for Beta Access

With the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates, Apple is changing the way that developer and public beta opt-ins work. Going forward, an Apple ID associated with a developer or public beta account is required, and with today's iOS 16.4 beta, you can use two different Apple IDs for access.


The prior betas made it clear that users would be required to sign in to a developer account or opt in to the public beta to access a developer beta or a public beta, respectively, but there was no option for individuals who have separate Apple IDs for their personal use and for their beta use. iOS 16.4 beta 3 adds an ‌Apple ID‌ field that can be tapped to sign in to a separate ‌Apple ID‌ to account for this situation.

You can sign in with a different Apple ID that is enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program or Apple Developer Program.

When you tap on the ‌Apple ID‌ button under Settings > General > Software Update, Apple allows you to enter a separate ‌Apple ID‌ for downloading the beta. That function lets you download betas as normal through a developer or public beta ‌Apple ID‌, while using a standard ‌Apple ID‌ for all other iPhone functions.

This change to how beta updates are downloaded will primarily impact people who use Developer Center profiles to install betas that they would not normally have access to. There will be no mechanism for installing a beta from a profile going forward, and each person running the developer beta will need to have access to a developer account.

The public beta is available to anyone who chooses to sign up, but public betas trail developer betas, so non-developers who want developer beta access currently use developer profiles that are available to anyone with the link.

This crackdown on beta access will impact betas after iOS 16.4, and it will mainly be noticeable during the iOS 17 beta testing period that is set to happen later this year.

While the change does prevent non-developers from installing betas through a developer profile, it also simplifies the beta update process. Users can choose to enable the developer or public beta they have access to directly from an ‌iPhone‌ or iPad without having to go through extra steps to install a profile.
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Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 to Developers

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the launch of the second betas.


Registered developers are able to download the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates over-the-air after installing the appropriate profile from the Developer Center. Going forward, beta updates will not require a profile and will instead be done directly on device through an Apple ID linked to a developer account.

iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 add new emoji characters, including shaking head, pink heart, light blue heart, donkey, moose, jellyfish, hyacinth, ginger, black bird, and more. There are 31 new emoji in total, including left and right hand options in several skin tones.

Safari Web Push notifications have been added on the iPhone and iPad, and you can receive them from websites that have been added to the Home Screen on your device. Web Push notifications are identical to the notifications that you get from websites on the Mac, and behave like any other iOS notification.

Third-party browsers like Chrome are now able to let users add websites and websites to the ‌Home Screen‌, and Apple has reintroduced the HomeKit architecture upgrade. There are also changes to Podcasts, minor updates to Apple Music, new options for Shortcuts, a reintroduced page turning animation for Apple Books, and more, with a full list of new features in iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 available in our features guide.
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Apple Releases Rapid Security Response Update for iOS 16.4 Beta Users

Apple today released a Rapid Security Response update that is available for those running the iOS 16.4 beta, marking the launch of the third RSR update since the feature was introduced in iOS 16.


The Rapid Security Response Update is designed to provide iOS 16.4 beta users with bug fixes without the need to install a full update, and this is likely a test update given the small file size.

iOS Security Response 16.4 (a) is available through the standard Software Update mechanism in the Settings app, but is a quick update, requiring just a couple of minutes to download the update and then a quick restart for the install process.

Once the Rapid Security Response update is installed, iOS 16.4 users will see an updated version of iOS 16.4 (a), and tapping on the version in the About section of Settings will display information about the installed iOS version and the Rapid Security Response update. Those who want to disable Rapid Security Response updates can do so by following our how to.
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Apple Releases Second Public Betas of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, HomeKit Update and More

Apple today seeded the second betas of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. Today's betas come two weeks after the release of the first public betas.


Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's free beta testing program can download the ‌iOS 16.4‌ beta over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website.

This is the last beta that will use certificates in this way as future beta updates will be linked to an Apple ID for both developers and public beta testers.

The iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates add a number of new emoji characters, including shaking head, pink heart, blue heart, gray heart, donkey, moose, black bird, goose, wing, jellyfish, hyacinth, pea pod, ginger, fan, comb, flute, maracas, and left and right facing hand options.


Safari Web Push notifications are available, but web developers will need to add support. With this feature, you can add a website to your Home Screen and the website can send you push notifications, just like on the Mac. These notifications behave like any other iOS notification and can be filtered out with Focus mode, delivered on Apple Watch, and more.

There's a new add to ‌Home Screen‌ option for third-party browsers so you can add a favorite Chrome site directly to your ‌Home Screen‌, plus the HomeKit architecture upgrade that was pulled from iOS 16.2 is now available again. The second beta reintroduces the page turning animation in Apple Books, and it has hints of Apple Music Classical.

Apple has made minor tweaks to the Podcasts app, ‌Apple Music‌ app, and the AppleCare coverage interface, plus there are new Shortcuts, 5G connectivity in Turkey, an option to add an always-on display filter to Focus more, and more. Full details on everything new can be found in our dedicated iOS 16.4 guide.
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Apple Now Testing iOS 16.5 Internally as One of Final Updates Before iOS 17

Apple ramped up testing of iOS 16.5 internally this month, according to mounting evidence of the update in our website's analytics logs. iOS 16.5 will likely be one of the last notable updates before Apple announces iOS 17 at WWDC in June.


It's unclear what features will be introduced with iOS 16.5, but the wait continues for some previously-announced features, including the Apple Card savings account, Apple Music Classical app, and iMessage Contact Key Verification security option. Apple Pay Later is also coming soon, but is expected to be enabled with a server-side update.

As for iOS 17, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman this week said he has yet to hear about "anything especially game-changing" planned for the iPhone, but the update is still months away and there could still be some notable features uncovered.

iOS 17 will introduce Apple's next generation of CarPlay, which will offer deeper integration with vehicle functions like the A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, increased personalization, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with next-generation CarPlay would be announced in late 2023, with committed brands including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others.

iOS 17 is also expected to allow alternative app stores on the iPhone in Europe, as required by the Digital Markets Act. Gurman previously reported that the change would be implemented by mid-2024 as part of a later version of iOS 17.

In the meantime, Apple has made the first iOS 16.4 beta available to developers and public testers. The update includes a range of new emoji, support for web push notifications, Podcasts app improvements, and a change that will prevent iPhone users from getting access to the iOS 17 developer beta for free when it becomes available.

WWDC typically begins in early June. At the weeklong developers conference, Apple will also announce macOS 14, watchOS 10, tvOS 17, and reportedly the realityOS/xrOS operating system for Apple's long-rumored AR/VR headset.
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Uber Rides Now Easier to Track on iPhone's Lock Screen and Dynamic Island as Live Activities Expands Worldwide

Uber today announced it is updating its iPhone app with Live Activities support in over 1,200 cities around the world following several months of testing. The new version of the app will be available on the App Store starting this morning.


Live Activities is an iOS 16 feature that allows iPhone users to stay on top of real-time events right on the Lock Screen on all iPhones and in the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The feature will make it easier for iPhone users to track the live progress of an Uber ride at a glance without opening the app, including the latest ETA, the trip status, and the vehicle's description and license plate number.

Apple announced that Uber would support Live Activities back at WWDC 2022, and the feature has been in testing in select countries since late last year. With the latest update to the Uber app, the feature is available around the world.

Live Activities will also be supported by the Uber Eats app for food deliveries "in the coming months," according to a company spokesperson.

Other popular third-party apps that support Live Activities include Flighty for flight tracking, Citymapper for public transit, ParkMobile for parking, CARROT Weather for weather forecasts, and soon Google Maps for turn-by-turn navigation.
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Apple Moves to Prevent iPhone Users From Getting iOS 17 Developer Beta for Free

Starting with the iOS 16.4 beta, the iPhone has a new "Beta Updates" menu in the Settings app under General → Software Update. This menu will allow members of Apple's Developer Program to enable iOS developer betas directly on an iPhone, without needing to install a configuration profile from the Apple Developer website.


The menu will only appear if a user's iPhone is signed into the same Apple ID they used to enroll in Apple's Developer Program. In future iOS releases, Apple says this menu will be the only way to enable developer betas, as profiles will stop working.

This change will prevent iPhone users who aren't enrolled in Apple's Developer Program for $99 per year from installing the iOS 17 developer beta for free when it is released at WWDC in June. Until now, anyone could easily install iOS developer betas for free by downloading the profiles from websites such as BetaProfiles.dev.


Apple already cracked down on websites sharing developer beta profiles last year. BetaProfiles.com shut down in August to avoid a "legal battle with Apple," while Apple lawyers provided Twitter with DMCA takedown notices for over a dozen tweets containing links to IPSW.dev. BetaProfiles.dev remains live and appears to be a carbon copy of BetaProfiles.com, but it's unclear if the website has the same ownership.

iPhone users who don't want to pay $99 per year for Apple's Developer Program will have to wait for the public beta of iOS 17, which will likely be released in July. Users can enroll in Apple's public Beta Software Program for free.

Users may still be able to install the iOS 17 developer beta for free using an IPSW file, but it remains to be seen if this will be an option. Many years ago, Apple only allowed beta IPSW files to be installed on devices registered to an Apple developer account, and Apple could choose to reintroduce this former policy. At a minimum, the elimination of configuration profiles will make the task more tedious in the future.
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Apple Releases First Public Beta of iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 With New Emoji, Safari Web Push Notifications, HomeKit Update and More

Apple today seeded the first beta of upcoming iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates to public beta testers, opening the beta testing process up to the general public. Today's betas come one day after Apple provided the betas to developers.


Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's free beta testing program can download the ‌iOS 16.4‌ beta over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website.

This is the last beta that will use certificates in this way as future beta updates will be linked to an Apple ID for both developers and public beta testers.

The iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates add a number of new emoji characters, including shaking head, pink heart, blue heart, gray heart, donkey, moose, black bird, goose, wing, jellyfish, hyacinth, pea pod, ginger, fan, comb, flute, maracas, and left and right facing hand options.


Safari Web Push notifications are available, but web developers will need to add support. With this feature, you can add a website to your Home Screen and the website can send you push notifications, just like on the Mac. These notifications behave like any other iOS notification and can be filtered out with Focus mode, delivered on Apple Watch, and more

There's a new add to ‌Home Screen‌ option for third-party browsers so you can add a favorite Chrome site directly to your ‌Home Screen‌, plus the HomeKit architecture upgrade that was pulled from iOS 16.2 is now available again.

Apple has made minor tweaks to the Podcasts app, Apple Music app, and the AppleCare coverage interface, plus there are new Shortcuts, 5G connectivity in Turkey, an option to add an always-on display filter to Focus more, and more. Full details on everything new can be found in our dedicated iOS 16.4 guide.

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Everything New in iOS 16.4: Emoji Characters, Web Push Notifications, Beta Installation Simplification, and More

Apple today released the iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, macOS Ventura 13.3, watchOS 9.4, and tvOS 16.4 updates to developers after a three week wait for new beta content. The software adds a number of new features, ranging from fresh emoji characters to web push notifications on iOS devices.

New Emoji Characters

iOS 16.4 and its sister updates include new Unicode 15 emoji characters that were first approved in September 2022. The new emoji options include shaking head, pink heart, blue heart, gray heart, donkey, moose, black bird, goose, wing, jellyfish, hyacinth, pea pod, ginger, fan, comb, flute, maracas, and a number of left and right facing hand options.

Safari Web Push Notifications on iPhone and iPad

Websites that are added to the Home Screen on an iPhone or iPad as a web app can send Web Push notifications in iOS 16.4/iPadOS 16.4, just like on the Mac.


This is a feature that Apple first announced at WWDC with the introduction of iOS 16, and it is now ready to start rolling out. Web apps added to a user's home screen can request permission to receive push notifications through a "subscribe" button or another similar direct interaction.

As on the Mac, the ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ will prompt the user to give the web app permission to send notifications, and the notifications can be managed on a per web app basis in the Notifications section of the Settings app. Notifications from web apps work exactly like notifications from other apps, showing up on the Lock Screen, in Notification Center, and on a paired Apple Watch.

Note that to receive push notifications for a website, you will need to add it to the ‌Home Screen‌. Web developers also must implement support for this feature, so it may not be working on iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 right away.

Focus Support for Web Push Notifications

Notifications for ‌Home Screen‌ web apps can be incorporated into Focus, so they can be rolled into Daily Summaries and there are options for configuring where and how to receive the web notifications.

Users who add the same web app to their ‌Home Screen‌ on more than one ‌iPhone‌ or ‌iPad‌ will see Focus mode automatically apply to all of them.

Badges for Home Screen Web Apps

Web apps added to the ‌Home Screen‌ can display badges to make users aware of alerts and notifications, similar to badges for regular apps. Badges are shown after a user gives permission to allow notifications, with web apps displaying the current badge count.

Add to Home Screen for Third-Party Browsers

Third-party browsers like Chrome can now let users add websites and web apps to the ‌Home Screen‌ from the Share menu.

Beta Opt-In Changes

With the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 betas, those who are enrolled in Apple's developer program are able to turn on developer betas directly from the Software Update section in the Settings app.


This will eliminate the need to install a profile from the Developer Center in order to get developer betas, simplifying the beta downloading process. There is also an option for public beta testers as well who want to install updates with less hassle.

Note that this will put an end to the public sharing of developer beta profiles as installing a developer beta will require each person to be signed into an Apple ID linked to a developer account.

HomeKit Architecture Upgrade

iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, and ‌macOS Ventura‌ 13.3 reintroduce the HomeKit architecture update that was pulled from iOS 16.2 due to a wide range of HomeKit bugs that it added.


In the Software Update section of the Home app, ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ users who have not yet upgraded to the new architecture are seeing a "Home Upgrade Available" option after updating to iOS 16.4.

The new ‌HomeKit‌ architecture is meant to improve the reliability and efficiency of communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices.

The initial launch caused some ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ devices to go missing from ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ setups or to be stuck with a "configuring/updating" status. It also resulted in invitations to share the Home with others failing, and it broke ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ Secure video recording for some.

Podcasts

Apple made several updates to the Podcasts app. Channels access is available in the Library section, and Up Next now lets you resume episodes, start saved episodes, and remove episodes you want to skip.


For CarPlay, there's now an option to pick up where you left off on a podcast with Up Next, or find new podcast options in Browse.

Apple Music App Profile

There's now a prominent button for accessing your profile in the Apple Music app, which makes it easier to get to profile settings.

AppleCare Coverage Overview

In the Settings app, there's now an updated "Coverage" interface that shows you the warranty information of your ‌iPhone‌ and connected devices like Apple Watches and AirPods.

Shortcuts

There are options in Shortcuts for creating workflows that lock a device's screen and control the always-on display, plus there is an option to automatically enable or disable Stage Manager on the ‌iPad‌. Apple has also added an option to have Siri announce Notifications as an action that can be incorporated into a Shortcut.

Content Previews for Mastodon in Messages

When you send a link to a Mastodon post to someone in the Messages app, it now displays a preview of the content that was shared rather than simply a link with an image.

5G for Turkey

5G support has been enabled in Turkey with iOS 16.4.

Tips User Guides

The Tips app now displays user guides for the ‌iPhone‌ and other devices that you might use with an ‌iPhone‌, including Apple Watch, AirPods, and HomePod. In previous versions of iOS, the Tips app only offered up the ‌iPhone‌ User Guide.

Focus Mode

There's an always-on display filter that can be enabled for a Focus mode.

5G Standalone Support for T-Mobile

5G iPhone owners who use T-Mobile can turn on a new 5G option that allows them to connect to the carrier's 5G Standalone network.

As 9to5Mac points out, the 5G Standalone network from T-Mobile launched last November and is expected to allow for connection speeds up to 3Gb/s on Samsung smartphones. T-Mobile could soon expand the faster connectivity option to other devices like the ‌iPhone‌.

More Granular Timing on Satellite Availability for Emergency SOS

For the Emergency SOS via Satellite feature, Apple will now inform users of when the next satellite will be passing by in more detail. Apple used to provide an "Available Soon" and Available in X amount of time options for the feature, but now will give specific hour and minute timelines.

• Next Satellite Available in [x]Hour(s) and [x]Minute(s)


• Next Satellite Available in [x]Hour(s)


• Next Satellite Available in [x]Minute(s)


• Next Satellite Available in Less Than 1 Minute

Apple Card High-Yield Savings Account

The iOS 16.4 update lays the groundwork for the high-yield savings account for Apple Card owners, which Apple announced back in October. Code in iOS 16.4 has references to routing and account numbers, current balance, interest earned, data management, funds available for withdrawal, and more.


Apple will encourage customers to sign up for a savings account by providing a message that says "Transfer your Apple Cash balance to your savings account and start earning interest today" and "You can transfer up to [amount] from Apple Cash to your savings account in a single transaction and start earning interest today.

As with the ‌Apple Card‌, the high-yield savings account will be offered through Goldman Sachs. ‌Apple Card‌ owners will be able to opt-in to having their Daily Cash deposited automatically so that it can earn interest. The savings account could be introduced alongside iOS 16.4, but it is not yet available in the Wallet app.

Launch Date

iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, and ‌macOS Ventura‌ 13.3 will be released in the spring, according to Apple. Spring begins on March 20 and lasts through June 20.
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iOS 16.4 Lays Groundwork for Apple Cash High-Yield Savings Account

Apple is preparing to release a new high-yield savings account option for Apple Card users, based on code that was found in the iOS 16.4 beta. The update lays the groundwork for the feature, which was announced in October.


Since Apple announced plans for a high-yield savings account for the ‌Apple Card‌, it has not made any additional information available, including details on a launch. iOS 16.4 lays the groundwork for the feature, so it could be available alongside the iOS 16.4 release.

Code in iOS 16.4 has references to routing and account numbers, current balance, interest earned, data management, funds available for withdrawal, and more.

Apple will encourage customers to sign up for a savings account by providing a message that says "Transfer your Apple Cash balance to your savings account and start earning interest today" and "You can transfer up to [amount] from Apple Cash to your savings account in a single transaction and start earning interest today.

As with the ‌Apple Card‌, the high-yield savings account will be offered through Goldman Sachs. ‌Apple Card‌ owners will be able to opt-in to having their Daily Cash deposited automatically so that it can earn interest.

Apple has not yet provided the APR for the savings account that will be made available to ‌Apple Card‌ owners, and there is no mention in the code. There are also no signs of the savings account in the Wallet app as of yet.

The savings account and Daily Cash will be able to be managed through the Wallet app alongside the ‌Apple Card‌.
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iOS 16.4 Beta Re-Adds HomeKit Architecture Upgrade

The iOS 16.4 beta that Apple provided to developers today appears to reintroduce the HomeKit architecture update that was pulled from iOS 16.2 due to a wide range of ‌HomeKit‌ bugs that it added.


In the Software Update section of the Home app, iPhone and iPad users who have not yet upgraded to the new architecture are seeing a "Home Upgrade Available" option after updating to iOS 16.4.

There were signs that the ‌HomeKit‌ architecture would be reintroduced in iOS 16.4 as early as January, as Apple has been working on it behind the scenes for some time now. Apple has prepared an updated version of the update, presumably with fewer bugs that will impact ‌HomeKit‌ users.

The new ‌HomeKit‌ architecture is meant to improve the reliability and efficiency of communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices, and it is something that Apple has been developing since iOS 16 was announced at WWDC in June 2022.

The initial launch caused some ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ devices to go missing from ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ setups or to be stuck with a "configuring/updating" status. It also resulted in invitations to share the Home with others failing, and it broke ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ Secure Video recording for some.
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Some iPhone Users Complain of iCloud Backup Issues After Updating to iOS 16.3

iOS 16.3 appears to be impacting the iCloud Backup feature for some people who have upgraded to the new software, based on complaints on the MacRumors forums and the Apple Support communities.


Impacted users have seen automatic ‌iCloud‌ Backup disabled, and attempting to turn on automatic backups results in the following message: "An unknown error occurred. Please try again later." With the error message, the "Back Up This iPhone" toggle under Settings > Apple ID > ‌iCloud‌ remains deactivated.

‌iPhone‌ owners who are experiencing this problem seem to still be able to manually activate an ‌iCloud‌ backup, but an iOS 16.3 bug appears to be preventing the setting from functioning as expected.

Some users were able to fix the problem by turning on two-factor authentication, leading to speculation that Apple is attempting to force people into using the extra authentication layer, but that does not seem to be the case. Two-factor authentication has not solved the problem for all users, and some people with two-factor authentication initially enabled have also had the same error. From one impacted user on the Apple Support Communities:

Same problem for me - iOS 16.3 on an iPhone and iPad - 2factor is turned on and have tried logging out and in of Apple ID and rebooting.

MacRumors reader GBstoic also complained that ‌iCloud‌ backup was not initially working after installing iOS 16.3, but that two devices were ultimately able to automatically backup even with the backup toggle turned off and no two-factor authentication enabled, suggesting an underlying error.

Two of my iOS 16.3 devices automatically backed up to iCloud when being charged today. This is despite the back up to iCloud option being turned off and me being unable to turn it on. Not sure that 2FA is the problem after all.

Multiple reports have indicated that some devices are continuing to back up even with the error message, but that is not the case for all users, so there could be multiple issues that are impacting ‌iCloud‌. While most reports are from ‌iPhone‌ owners, this is also a problem that is affecting the iPad as well, and all of the devices that are experiencing issues are running iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3.

Despite speculation that Apple is attempting to force people into using two-factor authentication, there does not appear to be actual evidence that this is the case. The error message is vaguely worded, and if Apple was requiring two-factor authentication for ‌iCloud‌ Backup functionality, there would likely be a much more specific message providing an explanation.

It appears that this is an iOS 16.3 bug that will be addressed in a future update. For now, those impacted can do manual backups to keep their data safe.

Apple is working on an iOS 16.3.1 update that could include a fix for the ‌iCloud‌ issues, but there is no word yet on when that software update might be released.
This article, "Some iPhone Users Complain of iCloud Backup Issues After Updating to iOS 16.3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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5 New iOS Features Coming to Your iPhone Later This Year

Apple has previously announced several upcoming iOS features that are expected to be added to the iPhone this year. Some of the features could be introduced with iOS 16.4, which should enter beta testing soon, while others will arrive later in the year.


Below, we have recapped five new iOS features that are expected to launch in 2023, such as an Apple Pay Later financing option for purchases and an Apple Card savings account that will allow for interest to be earned on Daily Cash.

Web Push Notifications

Apple said iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will add opt-in support for web-based push notifications at some point in 2023. This feature will allow iPhone and iPad users to receive notifications from websites through Safari, just like notifications sent from apps.

Apple Pay Later

Announced at WWDC 2022 last June, Apple Pay Later is a financing feature that will let qualifying customers in the U.S. split a purchase into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or fees to pay. The feature will be built into the Wallet app and will be available for purchases online and in apps on the iPhone and iPad.

Apple says the feature is coming in a future software update for qualifying applicants in the U.S. and noted that it may not be available in all states. Last year, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said the feature might launch with iOS 16.4.

iMessage Contact Key Verification

In December 2022, Apple previewed a new iMessage Contact Key Verification security feature and said it would launch globally in 2023.

iMessage Contact Key Verification allows users who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials, to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend. In conversations between users who have enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification, users are alerted if a state-sponsored attacker or other malicious actor were ever to succeed breaching cloud servers and inserting their own device to eavesdrop on the conversation.

As an additional layer of security, iMessage Contact Key Verification users can compare a Contact Verification Code in person, on FaceTime, or through another secure call to further verify they are communicating only with whom they intend.

Apple Card Savings Account

In October 2022, Apple announced that Apple Card users would "soon" be able to open a new high-yield savings account from Goldman Sachs and have their Daily Cash automatically deposited into it, with no fees, no minimum deposits, and no minimum balance requirements. The account would be managed through the Wallet app on the iPhone.

Once the account is set up, all Daily Cash received from that point on would be automatically deposited into it and start earning interest, unless a user opts to continue having Daily Cash added to their Apple Cash balance. Apple Card provides 2-3% Daily Cash on purchases made with Apple Pay and 1% on purchases made with the physical card.

The savings account was listed in the release notes for the iOS 16.1 Release Candidate in October, and Goldman Sachs updated its Apple Card customer agreement for the feature in December, but it has still not launched.

Next-Generation CarPlay

At WWDC 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of its iPhone-based software platform CarPlay, which will feature support for multiple displays, widgets, and integration with vehicle functions like the instrument cluster, climate controls, and FM radio.

Apple says the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others. Apple plans to share additional details about the next generation of CarPlay later this year.
This article, "5 New iOS Features Coming to Your iPhone Later This Year" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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iOS 16.3 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.3

Apple today released iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 to the public after several weeks of testing, and while this is a more minor update, there are still some features that are worth knowing about.


In this guide, we've outlined all of the changes in the iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 updates.

Security Keys

Security Keys for Apple ID provide users with the option to add a third-party security key to their account, which will be needed for authentication when logging into a new device or otherwise accessing an ‌Apple ID‌.


The Security Key is designed to replace the verification codes that are sent to Apple devices when logging into another device, which is the standard method of authentication that Apple uses. Apple says that physical security keys provide strong protection against phishing and unauthorized account access.


Security Keys can be set up on devices running iOS/iPadOS 16.3 by going to ‌Apple ID‌ > Security Keys and following the instructions. The iPhone, iPad, and Mac support FIDO Certified security keys such as the Yubikey.

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud (Global Rollout)

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud uses end-to-end encryption to provide Apple's highest level of cloud data security. The feature was made available to users in the U.S. at the end of last year with the release of iOS 16.2, but iOS 16.3 brings it to all users worldwide for the first time.


By default, Apple stores encryption keys for some ‌iCloud‌ data types on its servers to ensure that users can recover their data if they lose access to their ‌Apple ID‌ account. If a user enables Advanced Data Protection, the encryption keys are deleted from Apple's servers and stored on a user's devices only, preventing Apple, law enforcement, or anyone else from accessing the data, even if ‌iCloud‌ servers were to be breached.

Unity Wallpaper

Apple added a new Unity wallpaper that is designed to celebrate Black History Month, which takes place in February.

HomePod Support

iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 add support for the second-generation HomePod that was introduced last week. The ‌HomePod‌ 2 is similar in size to the original ‌HomePod‌, but with a new touch interface, support for humidity and temperature sensing, Thread connectivity, a Ul chip, and more.

Emergency SOS Changes

Emergency SOS has been updated to prevent accidental emergency calls. Calls can still be placed by holding down the side button along with either the up or down volume button, but now the buttons must be released in order to place the call.


Prior to the change, simply pressing the buttons could activate Emergency SOS.

iPhone 14 Pro Max Display Fix

An issue that could cause horizontal lines to temporarily appear on the iPhone 14 Pro Max's display when it is first woken has been addressed, and the lines should no longer show up.

Bug Fixes

iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 address a number of bugs, including issues with Freeform, the Lock Screen, and Siri.

• Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger may not appear on shared boards


• Addresses an issue where the wallpaper may appear black on the Lock Screen


• Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget does not accurately display Home app status


• Addresses an issue where ‌Siri‌ may not respond properly to music requests


• Resolves issues where ‌Siri‌ requests in CarPlay may not be understood correctly

Vulnerability Fixes

The iOS 16.3 and iPadOS 16.3 updates address a long list of security vulnerabilities with Safari, Weather, Mail, Screen Time, the kernel, and more.

Other New Features

Know of a new feature in iOS 16.3 that we left out? Let us know in the comments below.
This article, "iOS 16.3 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.3" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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