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5 Things to Know About the iOS 10.3 Update

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Apple recently released its iOS 10.3 update and today we want to take a close look at everything we know, right now, about the the iOS 10.3 update and its release for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

iOS 11 rumors are starting to pickup but a release is still several months away. For the moment, Apple’s focused, at least publicly, on iOS 10. And after a lengthy stint in beta, the iOS 10.3 update is now available for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

As expected iOS 10.3 is a huge update for Apple’s mobile devices bringing new features, fixes and a ton of security patches with it.

iOS 10.3 update is confirmed for iPhone & iPad.

An iOS 10.3 release is confirmed.

Today we want to take an updated look at the most important things to know about the iOS 10.3 update and its release.

We’ll continue to update this roundup with new details so check back for frequent updates as we push into the month of April.

iOS 10.3 Review

We’ve downloaded the iOS 10.3 update on the iPhone 7, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6, and iPhone 5.

The iOS 10.3 update is massive, over 600MB for the iPhone 7, and the installation process took a lot longer than usual due in part to Apple’s new APFS file system.

We didn’t run into any issues but the download/installation took upwards of 20 minutes on all of these devices so make sure you set aside some time to monitor the download and the installation.

So far, we haven’t noticed any major problems with any of these devices. In fact, we’ve seen some nice improvements on the eldest device.

Battery life is currently holding up on all four phones. We haven’t experienced any weird drain when in use or standby. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular data are also stable.

We’ve noticed some improvements to the iPhone 5’s boot speed and its UI. The user interface feels faster and more fluid than the previous versions of iOS 10.

As of right now, iOS 10.3 is treating these three devices well and it’s recommended if you’re interested in iOS 10.3’s features, protecting your device from potential harm, or if you’re suffering from an unfixable iOS issue.

If you’re doing fine on iOS 10.2.1, you might want to wait a few days for more long-term feedback to emerge. We’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, we’ve put together a list of reasons to, and not to, install the iOS 10.3 update right now.

If you’re having an excellent experience on iOS 10.2.1 or below, we highly recommend digging into those reasons before making the move to iOS 10.3.

iOS 10.3 Problems

iOS 10.3 went through a lengthy beta but problems have slipped through the cracks.

iOS 10.3 users are complaining about a wide range of issues including weird battery drain, issues with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, lag, random reboots, and issues with third-party apps.

As of right now, these issues are isolated. They’re also extremely common after a major iOS update release.

Most of these iOS 10.3 problems can be solved from the comfort of a computer chair at work or your home.

If you’re seeing an issue after downloading iOS 10.3, take a look at our list of fixes. You’ll also want to report it to Apple so that its engineers can get to work on a fix.

Downgrade & iOS 10.3.1

If you decide to download the iOS 10.3 update know that there is no longer a way to drop down to another official version of iOS 10.

If iOS 10.3 is causing problems for you you’re stuck until Apple rolls out a new version of iOS 10.

Apple’s no longer signing off on iOS 10.2.1 which means you can’t drop down to it if you’re unhappy with the iOS 10.3 update’s performance on your iPhone or iPad. Unfortunately, you can’t drop down to anything older than iOS 10.2.1 either.

Also note that you can now “upgrade” to iOS 10.3.1.

Apple’s released an iOS 10.3.1 update with bug fixes for iPhone and iPad. The update is tiny but it could have an impact on your device’s performance.

For more on the iOS 10.3.1 update, take a look at our walkthrough. It goes over performance, problems, and more.

Clips Now Available for iPhone & iPad

A new feature, which requires the iOS 10.3/iOS 10.3.1 update is now available.

You can save and share Apple Clips to a variety of social networks.

Earlier this year, Apple announced a new Clips application. The company promised a release in April and Clips is now out on the App Store.

Clips allows select iOS 10.3/iOS 10.3.1 users to create unique videos. It lets you combine video clips, photos and music that you can share via iMessage, Instagram, Facebook or another popular social networking platform.

It also features Live Tiles which will let you create animated captions and titles using your voice. You’re then able to add effects like comic book filters, speech bubbles, shapes and full-screen animated posters.

For more on Clips, take a look at our roundup. Clips isn’t available for the iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, or iPad 4.

What’s Next

Apple’s already confirmed the next iOS 10.3 update.

The iOS 10.3.2 update is currently in beta ahead of an unknown release date. As of right now the update appears to be a maintenance release which means it’ll probably deliver bug fixes and security patches as opposed to features.

While you might be tempted to try the iOS 10.3.2 beta ahead of time, be aware that Apple’s early software can cause problems.

Issues with apps and services, connectivity, and battery life are common beta issues and we expect these, and other problems, to plague the iOS 10.3.2 update as it passes through the company’s beta program.

3 Reasons Not to Install iOS 10.3.3 & 9 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 10.3.3 If You Want Better Security

Install iOS 10.3.3 If You Want Better Security

If you value your security, you'll want to seriously consider downloading the iOS 10.3.3 update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

iOS 10.3.3 brings 24 security patches addressing vulnerabilities plaguing Contacts, Messages, Notifications, and Safari.

It also includes a patch for a potentially dangerous Wi-Fi exploit dubbed "Broadpwn." That patch alone is a great reason to install iOS 10.3.3 right now or in the immediate future. 

If you failed to download previous versions of iOS, your iOS 10.3.3 update will bring even more security features.

If you passed on iOS 10.3.2, iOS 10.3.3 will deliver 23 additional security patches for potentially dangerous issues. 

If you skipped iOS 10.3.1, your iOS 10.3.3 update will bring its lone security patch. If you skipped iOS 10.3, iOS 10.3.3 will bring its monster list of patches to your device.

The iOS 10.3 update delivered over 60 known patches for potential exploits. That's substantial, even for a milestone upgrade.

If you skipped the iOS 10.2.1 update and/or the iOS 10.2 update, iOS 10.3.3 brings their security patches with it. The iOS 10.2.1 update had 14 important patches on board. You can see them all right here

If you failed to install Apple's iOS 9.3.5 update, iOS 10.3.3 will also bring the three crucial security patches it delivered last year. These patch up serious security problems that could potentially expose your calls, contacts, texts, and emails.

These patches enhance the security on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch making them ideal for those of you who store sensitive files/data on your device. 

14 Comments

14 Comments

  1. Stephen

    01/10/2017 at 2:54 pm

    Really a very terribly written article, with numerous grammar mistakes. It says absolutely nothing of value.

    • John

      02/14/2017 at 9:34 pm

      Grammatical mistakes*

  2. AppSync Unified iOS 10

    01/30/2017 at 12:52 pm

    Instead of waiting for iOS 10.3, updating to iOS 10.2 is recommended. Reason is availability of jailbreak and different tweaks.

  3. Pavan

    02/22/2017 at 5:50 am

    My iphone not have 10.3 update

  4. Paul

    02/26/2017 at 3:47 am

    Any news on fixing the clumsy way email threads now appear? Previously, it was visually clear and quite functional. Now it’s a mish-mash jumble which Apple unbelievably continues to defend.

  5. CT

    03/22/2017 at 2:38 pm

    Man I really hope they bring back swipe to unlock, I hate pressing the home button.

    • Tony

      03/28/2017 at 5:38 pm

      Funny, I wouldn’t be able to stand clicking then having to swipe again!
      One click with fingerprint recognition and it’s unlocked and you’re in, or on my air 2, two clicks on the home button.
      Job done.

  6. SD

    03/29/2017 at 3:43 am

    I suggest that every iPhone users should backup their iPhone before the major system updates. Who knows what problems will happen! I backup my iPhone with MacX MediaTrans to prevent the potential data loss. And I think maybe you should also do it. Here’s how to backup iPhone with MacX MediaTrans https://www.macxdvd.com/mobile/how-to-backup-iphone-to-mac.htm

  7. Adam

    04/04/2017 at 8:57 am

    If you are having problem update iPhone 5 to iOS 10.3 then you should check out the link below. I follow the link and it work well.
    https://youtu.be/xBy6WUnn08I

  8. RcR

    04/13/2017 at 5:05 pm

    The new update cleared my calendar

  9. Pete

    04/16/2017 at 3:10 am

    From what I have read the update size of 10.3.1 is around 30 mg, but on both my iPhones the update size is over 600mg. Both my phones are on 10.3 so if anyone can con confirm this it would be appreciated . Thanks.

  10. anil

    04/18/2017 at 10:58 pm

    donot upgrade to 10.3.1 … updated 10.3.1 after my cellular network is not working !!! iphone like toy now …

  11. Thomas

    04/21/2017 at 10:16 am

    Everyone dont download 10.3.1 there bugs and buggy iOS version is not recommended if any one on 10.2.1 or 10.2 iOS stay on that as I have been getting fantastic battery life on 10.2.1 with over 11 hours of usage and 67 hours standby time with iOS 10.3.1 that will destroy ur battery life and as of now apple stop signged 10.2.1 u can no longer stuck with the updated ver of buggy and horrible iOS experience I feel apple has messed up completely. with new iOS update doesn’t make it feel stable or fixing battery draining or anything like that they just release ver without gentle testing battery life or anything like that I am not updating never again

  12. Jacqueline McGraw

    04/24/2017 at 8:00 pm

    I haven’t been able to update apps, any apps, since I downloaded iOS10.3.

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