Apple Releases iOS 16.3 With Security Keys for Apple ID, New HomePod Support, Bug Fixes and More

Apple today released iOS 16.3, the third major update to the iOS 16 operating system that first came out in September. iOS 16.3 comes over a month after the launch of iOS 16.2, an update that added the Freeform app, Apple Music Sing, Advanced Data Protection, and more.

iOS 16
iOS 16‌.3 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand. Apple has also released iOS 15.7.3 for iPhone users who have older devices, with the update offering security improvements.

Today's update introduces Security Keys for Apple ID, allowing for physical two-factor authentication that replaces the digital two-factor authentication used for ‌Apple ID‌ logins. There is a new Unity wallpaper, along with support for the second-generation HomePod. The update also rolls out Advanced Data Protection for iCloud to all users globally.

Apple tweaked Emergency SOS to prevent accidental emergency calls. You can still activate Emergency SOS when holding down the side button with the up or down volume button, but a call won't be placed until the buttons are released.

A number of bug fixes are also included, with Apple addressing an issue that could cause horizontal lines to temporarily appear on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, a bug that could result in the Home Lock Screen widget not accurately displaying Home app status, and Siri bugs related to music requests and CarPlay. Apple's full release notes for the update are below:

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

  • New Unity wallpaper honors Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month
  • Security Keys for Apple ID allow users to strengthen the security of their account by requiring a physical security key as part of the two factor authentication sign in process on new devices
  • Support for HomePod (2nd generation)
  • Emergency SOS calls now require holding the side button with the up or down volume button and then releasing in order to prevent inadvertent emergency calls
  • Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger may not appear on shared boards
  • Addresses an issue where the wallpaper may appear black on the Lock Screen
  • Fixes an issue where horizontal lines may temporarily appear while waking up iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget does not accurately display Home app status
  • Addresses an issue where Siri may not respond properly to music requests
  • Resolves issues where Siri requests in CarPlay may not be understood correctly

More information on all of the features in iOS 16 can be found in our roundup. Apple has also released an iOS 15.7.3 security update that is available for those who are still running iOS 15, as well as an iOS 12.5.7 update for those who have an even older device.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Top Rated Comments

Neepman Avatar
17 months ago
You have to be a real thrillseeker to install a new iOS on day one these days.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
17 months ago
The one thing I want from Apple more than AR, VR, MR, iCar, and AirPower:

Fix the damn HomeKit disaster! My Philips Hue motion sensors are not working at all.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
17 months ago
Finally all the improvements that iOS/IPadOS 16.3 offers to the pubic.

* Support for security keys for Apple IDs
* A redesigned HomePod Handoff prompt following the release of a new second-generation HomePod
* Tweaked wording for Emergency SOS in Settings

Safari changed from version 16.2 to 16.3.

Also numerous fixes

* [I]Fixes an issue in Freeform where some drawing strokes created with Apple Pencil or your finger may not appear on shared boards[/I]
* [I]Addresses an issue where the wallpaper may appear black on the Lock Screen[/I]
* [I]Fixes an issue where horizontal lines may temporarily appear while waking up iPhone 14 Pro Max[/I]
* [I]Fixes an issue where the Home Lock Screen widget does not accurately display Home app status[/I]
* [I]Addresses an issue where Siri may not respond properly to music requests[/I]
* [I]Resolves issues where Siri requests in CarPlay may not be understood correctly[/I]

Released today

* iOS 16.3 (20D47) - January 23, 2023
* iPadOS 16.3 (20D47) - January 23, 2023
* macOS 13.2 (22D49) - January 23, 2023
* watchOS 9.3 (20S648) - January 23, 2023
* tvOS 16.3 (20K650) - January 24, 2023
* iOS 15.7.3 (19H307) - January 23, 2023
* iPadOS 15.7.3 (19H307) - January 23, 2023
* Monterey 12.6.3 (21G419) - January 23, 2023
* Big Sur 11.7.3 (20G1116) - January 23, 2023
* audioOS 16.3 (20K649) - January 24, 2023
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
twistedpixel8 Avatar
17 months ago

Does it fix the "upgraded Home" scenes, automations, etc???
Hilarious that Apple broke loads of people’s setups, pulled the upgrade and now just zero mention of any of it. No fix. Nothing.

This is how I expect a company like Eufy to behave, not a Trillion dollar tech giant.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jarutais Avatar
17 months ago
I hope this fixes the battery widget that always shows my AirPods Pro case with 0% battery
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
17 months ago
Excellent! Thank you, Apple. I have requested the updated.



Attachment Image
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

10 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Thursday May 9, 2024 9:00 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
apple crush ad

Apple Apologizes for 'Crush' iPad Pro Ad, Won't Put It on TV

Friday May 10, 2024 8:32 am PDT by
When introducing the new M4 iPad Pro models, Apple showed a video of a hydraulic press crushing all manner of creative tools, including musical instruments, electronic equipment, arcade games, paint and brushes, computers, cameras, and more, with the aim of demonstrating how the iPad represents all of the tools condensed into a single device. The ad was a play on the popular hydraulic press...
iPad Air 150 Off Feature

Every Model of Apple's M1 iPad Air Drops to Record Low Prices on Amazon

Friday May 10, 2024 7:30 am PDT by
Today we're tracking multiple record low prices across the M1 iPad Air on Amazon, with $150 off every configuration of these now-discontinued tablets. This comes just a few days after Apple announced the new M2 iPad Air, which start at $599. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the...
iOS 17 All New Features Thumb

Apple Says iOS 17.5 Coming 'Soon' With These New Features for iPhones

Monday May 6, 2024 7:33 am PDT by
Apple today announced that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public "soon," following over a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it does have a few new features and changes, as outlined in the list below. "The new Pride Radiance watch face and iPhone and iPad wallpapers will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5," said Apple, in its...
magic keyboard 1

What’s New With the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

Thursday May 9, 2024 1:44 pm PDT by
With the iPad Pro, Apple introduced an overhauled version of the Magic Keyboard to add new features that make using an iPad Pro feel more like using a Mac. If you’re thinking about buying one of the new iPad Pro models and don’t know if you should get a keyboard, this article walks through all of the new features. Design Apple hasn’t changed the underlying look of the Magic Keyboard, and...