iOS 18.3 Might Have a Last-Minute Change, Here's Why

[MacRumors]

A private account on social media platform X today leaked the final build number for Apple's upcoming iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 updates: 22D61. That is a very slight change compared to the 22D60 build number for the iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 Release Candidates, which are essentially the final beta versions of each update.

The account has a good track record of sharing iOS-related information, but it has had some occasional misses. We continue to respect the account owner's request to not link to its posts, as they wish to remain anonymous and maintain a low profile.

The change suggests that iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3 could include a very minor, last-minute change or two. Exactly what those changes might be remains to be seen, but we can speculate about one possibility: a 2025 Black Unity collection.

In each of the past four years, Apple has announced a Black Unity campaign in the second half of January, and this has typically included a new Apple Watch band, Apple Watch face, and iPhone wallpaper featuring the colors of the Pan-African flag. We recently discovered that the upcoming tvOS 18.3 update for the Apple TV has a new UNITY25 reference hidden within its code, which suggests that the Black Unity campaign may continue in 2025. If so, it is likely that Apple will make an announcement about it next week.

February is Black History Month in the United States, and Apple typically features content from Black creators across apps like Apple Books and Apple Podcasts.

In 2021 and 2022, Apple announced its Black Unity campaign just hours before it released watchOS 7.3 and watchOS 8.3, respectively, with a corresponding Black Unity watch face. Starting in 2023, and continuing in 2024, Apple included a matching iPhone wallpaper as well. As a result, it mentioned the Black Unity wallpaper in its release notes for the iOS 16.3 and iOS 17.3 Release Candidates in those years.

Apple's release notes for the iOS 18.3 Release Candidate made no mention of a Black Unity wallpaper, but perhaps it is something that will still arrive in the final iOS 18.3 release, and this could explain the revised build number.

Apple is expected to release iOS 18.3 next week, so we will find out for sure soon.

Article Link: iOS 18.3 Might Have a Last-Minute Change, Here's Why

 

[Biro]

I have another proposed change: Keep Apple Intelligence opt-in, not op-out as rumors suggest it will be in iOS 18.3.

 

[winxmac]

It's not the first time that the public non-beta release is +1 from RC build.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

I have another proposed change: Keep Apple Intelligence opt-in, not op-out as rumors suggest it will be in iOS 18.3.

It auto-activated on my MBP when I installed the macOS 15.3 beta so auto-engage currently is not a rumor.

 

[RafaelHO]

Fix the screenshots from Watch not showing up in iPhone's gallery

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Maybe we should wait for 22D62 or 63? 🤔

 

[xraydoc]

Maybe we should wait for 22D62 or 63? 🤔

I haven't installed 18.3 yet, but at this point, I'm just going to wait for the official release next week.

 

[ParkHemp]

I always seems to see this kind of post that someone mysterious guy at x found this new build number for os which is still unreleased even in beta. Would be helpful if i knew who is this account so i can see their track record. any help guys?

 

[Fraserpatty]

I’m betting Apple wants another week to teach Siri who won all the Super Bowls.

 

[nottorp]

With these oled screens why would you even use a wallpaper, no matter what the theme? Wouldn't dark mode and a true black background save battery?

 

[PlainviewX]

Just fix the damn mail app.

 

[JapanApple]

The story seems confusing in which direction they want this to be important.

 

[johnsawyercjs]

I have another proposed change: Keep Apple Intelligence opt-in, not op-out as rumors suggest it will be in iOS 18.3.

Interestingly, last night while I was doing something on my Mom's M1 2020 Macbook Air, running the release version of macOS 15.2, build 24C101, a notification appeared asking me if I wanted to turn on Apple Intelligence. I did, for whatever it's currently worth for her. I don't know why it took all this time for this notification to appear, since I installed 15.2 on her Macbook right after it was released on Dec 11 last year.

 

[NapZzz]

another version.

 

[svish]

Very possible to see a new watch strap and accompanying wallpapers. Expecting an announcement by Monday or Tuesday next week.

 

[Andy_2341]

Fix the screenshots from Watch not showing up in iPhone's gallery

They show up in my gallery, not immediately, but within a few hours.

 

[nt5672]

Interestingly, last night while I was doing something on my Mom's M1 2020 Macbook Air, running the release version of macOS 15.2, build 24C101, a notification appeared asking me if I wanted to turn on Apple Intelligence. I did, for whatever it's currently worth for her. I don't know why it took all this time for this notification to appear, since I installed 15.2 on her Macbook right after it was released on Dec 11 last year.

Siri was probably confused about what the current date was.

 

[brofkand]

The story seems confusing in which direction they want this to be important.

The story certainly buried the lede for no good reason.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I have another proposed change: Keep Apple Intelligence opt-in, not op-out as rumors suggest it will be in iOS 18.3.

Irrelevant to the topic

 

[Biro]

Irrelevant to the topic

The topic is small, last-minute changes to iOS 18.3. My statement is highly relevent.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The story seems confusing in which direction they want this to be important.

Not confusing at all.

Im down with the unity, stillhavr the original braided loopband and heavily vinsidering my return to ios and watch os!

Yeah yeah i know i said I would never but this is very specific:
Messages and photos from my recent late mother are ONLY on my ivloud backup associated to a long gone phone number and not migrated or deleted from my S23 due to a stupid

The topic is small, last-minute changes to iOS 18.3. My statement is highly relevent.

I stand corrected. Thank you kindly.

 

[JapanApple]

Not confusing at all.

Im down with the unity, stillhavr the original braided loopband and heavily vinsidering my return to ios and watch os!

Yeah yeah i know i said I would never but this is very specific:
Messages and photos from my recent late mother are ONLY on my ivloud backup associated to a long gone phone number and not migrated or deleted from my S23 due to a stupid

I stand corrected. Thank you kindly.

Not really. They are trying to emphasize which topic without siding with a favorite; you need to read the whole story.

 

[nottorp]

Just fix the damn mail app.

Haha not going to happen.

What's worse, there is no decent replacement for the iOS mail app if you have more than a free gmail, yahoo etc account.

 

[Andy_2341]

Just fix the damn mail app.

Just turn it back to list view and then go to settings and change it to show all unread messages in notification bubbles.