It’s had a bit of a torrid journey, but the new iPhone update is here, and on schedule, too. Apple iOS 17.3 introduces one key feature that was a surprise until recently, Stolen Device Protection, implements something that has long been promised, AirPlay for hotel TVs, and more. Here’s all you need to know.
Which iPhones Can Run iOS 17.3?
Like other iOS 17 releases, you need an iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max or iPhone XR from 2018, or any version of iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 variants. It also includes iPhone SE second- and third-generation models.
How To Get It
Open the Settings app on the iPhone, choose General, then Software Update. Here, you’ll see sections on Automatic Updates, and Beta Updates. Whether you have automatic updates on or off, you can choose to download the new software now, and that’s usually the choice to make. Pick Download and Install, and your iPhone will be golden in no time.
What’s In The Release
There’s a lot in this release. First up is the big new feature, Stolen Device Protection. If your iPhone is stolen, that’s bad enough, but if the thief happens to know your passcode, perhaps because they shoulder-surfed you when you were tapping it in, then it could be much worse. Thieves can change the passcode, put their own biometrics in and lock you out while they empty your bank account, for instance. This new feature means that lots of things in the phone now need Face ID or Touch ID access, rather than the passcode. These include turning off Lost Mode, erasing the iPhone, accessing passwords and more. For the most sensitive changes, like changing the password, this new feature means a one-hour security delay is put in place if the iPhone is not in a familiar location. These actions include adding biometrics or turning off Find My. Thieves may still find a way in but this new feature makes the iPhone much more secure if stolen. You can read more about this feature here.
Unity Bloom Wallpaper, part of this year’s Black Unity initiative, is available for the iPhone and iPad lock screens, with flowers that bloom with color.
AirPlay hotel support has been promised for a while, and here it is. In select hotels, you’ll be able to stream content to the TV in your room.
Collaborative playlists mean that you can invite friends to join your playlists, and emoji can be added as reactions to any track in such a playlist.
Crash detection has been optimized for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models.
Finally, Apple Care and Warranty shows your coverage for all devices, in Settings.
In other words, it’s a big update.
Apple has full release notes available on its website here.
