As is custom, Apple rolled out software updates to all its platforms at once today. All users should now have access to the public releases of iOS 18.3, macOS Sequoia 15.3, watchOS 11.3, iPadOS 15.3, tvOS 15.3, and visionOS 2.3. Also, as usual, the iOS update is the meatiest of the bunch. Most of the changes relate to Apple Intelligence, a suite of features built on deep learning models. The first Apple Intelligence features were introduced in iOS 18, with additional ones added in iOS 18.1 and iOS 18.2 iOS 18.3 doesn't add any significant new features to Apple Intelligence—instead, it tweaks what's already there. Whereas Apple Intelligence was opt-in in previous OS versions, it is now on by default in iOS 18.3 on supported devices. For the most part, that shouldn't be a noticeable change for the majority of users, except for one thing: notification summaries. As we've reported, the feature that summarizes large batches of notifications using a large language model is hit or miss at best. For most apps, not much has changed on that front, but Apple announced that with iOS 18.3, it's temporarily disabling notification summaries for apps from the "News & Entertainment" category in light of criticisms by the BBC and others about how the feature was getting the substance of headlines wrong. The feature will still mess up summarizing your text messages and emails, though. Apple says it has changed the presentation of summaries to make it clearer that they are distinct from other non-AI generated summaries and that they are in beta and may be inaccurate. Other updates include one to visual intelligence, a feature available on the most recent phones that gives you information on objects your camera is focused on. It can now identify more plants and animals, and you can create calendar events from flyers or posters seen in your viewfinder.
On the macOS side, Macs now have access to Genmoji, a tool for creating emojis from text prompts. Both macOS and iPadOS got most of the same notification summary changes as on iOS, too. The Apple Watch didn't get much with the watchOS 11.3 update—just a new watch face. tvOS, visionOS, and the HomePod software also got updates, but they just contain bug fixes.
iOS 18.3 release notes
Visual intelligence with Camera Control (All iPhone 16 models)- Add an event to Calendar from a poster or flyer
- Easily identify plants and animalsNotification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes availableThis update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:- Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you tap the equals sign again
- Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request
- Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple Music Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
macOS Sequoia 15.3 release notes
This update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac. - Genmoji creation in Messages and other apps
- Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign again
- Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon)
- Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon)
- Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon) Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100