Apple releases iOS 18.3 beta 3, public launch expected late January

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Apple has rolled out the third developer beta for iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS 15.3, bringing a host of new features and bug fixes.

This release is part of the company’s gradual beta cycle, aimed at fine-tuning updates before they are made available to the general public. The iOS 18.3 update, while not expected to introduce groundbreaking features, is set to launch by the end of January, with speculation suggesting it could be delayed into February if a release candidate version is introduced.

Developers can access the latest beta updates directly from the Settings app on their devices, provided their Apple ID is linked to a Developer Account. Once updated, users can expect smoother performance, but the most notable change will be the temporary unavailability of notification summaries for News & Entertainment categories, which will be reintroduced in a future update, according to Apple representatives.

Apple pauses notification summaries in iOS 18.3 Beta

In addition to the latest features, the iOS 18.3 developer beta has temporarily disabled notification summaries for news and entertainment apps, including those from outlets like the BBC. Apple had initially launched this feature with a goal to offer more streamlined summaries of notifications, but it received backlash for inaccuracies. The company has acknowledged these issues and confirmed that the feature will be reenabled in a future update.

To improve user experience, the new beta will also allow users to turn off notification summaries for specific apps directly from the lock screen or Notification Center. Moreover, iOS 18.3 introduces a visual distinction between notification summaries and standard notifications using italicized text. As Apple continues to refine the feature, it will be labeled as "beta" and users are warned that it may contain errors.

Both updates indicate Apple's ongoing commitment to improving its iOS ecosystem, although some features may take longer to perfect.