Last Thursday, Apple released the release candidate of iOS 15.3 for developers. The same goes for iPadOS 15.3. Surprisingly, the software updates only offer bug fixes and thus solutions to various problems. So it doesn’t look like we can expect new features and functions.
Furthermore, there are also release candidates for macOS Monterey 12.2, watchOS 8.4 and tvOS 15.3. In mid-December, Apple released the first beta for iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3. At that time it was also clear that there were no new features. So chances are there aren’t any at all, it now appears.
iOS 15.3 as a troubleshooter
We can say that with some certainty. After all, release candidates are the last versions Apple releases before the public versions appear. In a message to developers, the company now lets it be known in advance that it recommends that everyone download the new iOS version. The same goes for the other updates.
Safari (Image: Apple, editing: OMT)
Unfortunately, it is not exactly clear what problems Apple is fixing. It’s possible that the updates for macOS, iOS and iPadOS will bring solutions to the well-known Safari bug. That’s the bug that leaks user data when you open multiple tabs within your browser. This is due to an incorrect api implementation.
Confusion over the name
Finally, there is some confusion about the names of software updates. Packages that offer only bug fixes and performance improvements are what Apple considers a minor update. Now, for example, many iPhones run on iOS 15.2.1, so then this should become 15.2.2. But so it ends up being iOS 15.3.
The .3 in the name suggests that this is indeed a major update that brings new features. But nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps Apple sees the solutions to all the problems that have arisen as major additions, so it can justify the name. When exactly the updates will arrive, is not yet known. But it should not be long now.
