As of December 15, Apple released the first beta version of iOS 17.3 to public beta testers, following the initial developer beta release two days earlier and three days after iOS 17.2 became available. This update introduces a few new features, including Stolen Device Protection, alongside bug fixes for iPhones belonging to beta testers and developers.
It’s important to note that beta versions are not the final release and may contain bugs or impact battery life, making it advisable to install them on a secondary device rather than a primary one.
For developers and public beta testers, iOS 17.3 beta 1 brings Stolen Device Protection as a new feature. Unfortunately, the provided information does not elaborate on the specifics of this feature. Since this is a beta release, it’s possible that additional features and refinements may be introduced before the final version of iOS 17.3 is released. As of now, there is no official word on the public release date for iOS 17.3.
According to CNET’s David Lumb, Stolen Device Protection requires you to enter your biometric authentication, like Face ID and Touch ID, multiple times to access some of your sensitive settings and information. This is an optional security feature, but Apple recommends everyone turn it on.
Apple has reintroduced collaborative playlists in the first beta version of iOS 17.3. This feature, initially announced at WWDC 2023 in June, allows multiple users to edit and control shared playlists in Apple Music. Although collaborative playlists were included in some beta versions of iOS 17.2, Apple removed the feature from the final release of iOS 17.2. With the arrival of iOS 17.3 beta 1, Apple has brought back this collaborative feature for testing. the first beta version
It’s important to note that beta versions may undergo changes before the final release, and additional features could be introduced or modified. As developers and beta testers explore iOS 17.3, they’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback and help Apple refine the software before it reaches the broader public.
For more information on iOS 17 and its updates, users can explore the features introduced in iOS 17.2 and iOS 17.1. Additionally, Apple users may find a helpful resource in the iOS 17 cheat sheet.