Apple today seeded the third public beta of its upcoming iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 updates for testing. The new public betas come one day after the updates’ developer betas. It should be noted that while Apple calls this the third beta, there was no second beta of iOS 17.3 or iPadOS 17.3, as the second iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 betas were pulled back from release due to the updates causing devices to go into a perpetual boot loop. Apple did not re-release the second betas, but the issue is apparently fixed in the third betas.
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple’s beta testing program can download the iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 updates by opening the Settings app, going to “General,” tapping on the “Software Update” section and turning on the iOS 17 Public Beta option.
iOS 17.3 brings a Stolen Device Protection feature that limits access to your private information in case someone obtains both your iPhone and your passcode. When the feature is activated, it requires using Touch ID or Face ID biometric verification to change an Apple ID password or an iPhone passcode, disabling Find My, or turning off Face ID or Touch ID.
The beta also brings collaborative Apple Music playlists, a feature that allows Apple Music subscribers to build playlists with friends, family members, and others who share similar musical tastes.
As usual, MacTrast and Apple both warn users not to install any betas on their daily driver iPhone or iPad. Instead, only install betas on a device set aside for testing purposes.