Apple today began releasing the second beta for iOS 17.3 to registered developers. iOS 17.3 beta 2 comes three weeks after the company released the first iOS 17.3 beta. A public version of this beta is expected sometime this week.
iOS 17.3 is likely to introduce smaller features to the iPhone experience, including collaborative playlists on Apple Music and AirPlay’s expansion to hotel rooms. Both of these features didn’t make the cut with the public release of iOS 17.2 despite appearing in earlier betas.
iOS 17.3 is also set to introduce a new “Stolen Device Protection” feature, which should make it harder for thieves to access data and change settings on your iPhone if they are able to unlock your device after stealing it.
Last year, Apple released iOS 16.3 in January, and the company will likely follow through with that schedule with the release of iOS 17.3. Apple could also begin testing out app sideloading in Europe with the update as a result of the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which will force the company to open up its platforms to accept app downloads from outside the App Store and more.
Apple also released the following new betas across the board:
- iPadOS 17.3 beta 2
- macOS Sonoma 14.3 beta 2
- watchOS 10.3 beta 2
- tvOS 17.3 beta 2
How to install iOS 17.3 beta 2
Last March, Apple introduced a new method to install betas. Now, devices enrolled with a linked Apple Developer Program account or those who signed up with their Apple ID on Apple Developer will see a new menu under Settings -> General -> Software Update that allows users to opt into receiving beta updates. Devices that aren’t enrolled and linked to an Apple Developer account won’t see the menu and therefore aren’t able to install any new beta.
We will keep this article updated with any additional changes that we find in the second beta of iOS 17.3, including references to new features or unreleased products.
