iOS 18.3 beta release date: Here’s when to expect the next update

iOS 18.2 just launched to the public, but for beta users who have been running the software since October, it’s officially old news. Next up is the iOS 18.3 beta, which should release very soon. Here’s when to expect the first iOS 18.3 beta to arrive.

All signs point to iOS 18.3 beta launching this week

Apple may have a reputation for secrecy, but it also tends to follow predictable patterns.

For example, when the company ships a big software update for its devices, the next version of that software usually arrives in beta within a couple days.

That pattern points to a release for the first iOS 18.3 beta later this week.

It’s unusual for new software to arrive on Fridays, so that means this Thursday, December 12 is the most likely date for iOS 18.3 beta 1.

Friday isn’t impossible, it’s happened before. But Thursday is a safer bet.

Holiday impact unlikely

Some might wonder: will Apple actually release new betas so close to the holidays?

Yes, it absolutely will. Despite most of the company getting a lengthy holiday break soon, Apple won’t hesitate to ship new betas right now. There’s years of evidence to support that.

Here’s what the last three Decembers have brought:

Public Releases

• iOS 17.2: Monday, December 11
• iOS 16.2: Tuesday, December 13
• iOS 15.2: Monday, December 13

Beta Releases

• iOS 17.3 beta: Tuesday, December 12
• iOS 16.3 beta: Wednesday, December 14
• iOS 15.3 beta: Friday, December 17

So for the last two years, Apple shipped new x.3 betas the day after its big public x.2 launches. iOS 15 is an outlier in that it arrived a full four days later, and on a Friday too.

What to expect in iOS 18.3

iOS 18.3 is in some ways an especially exciting release because we know so little about what it will contain.

Apple has already pre-announced some features for next year’s iOS 18.4 release, such as expanded language support for Apple Intelligence. Major Siri changes are also expected in 18.4 based on Mark Gurman’s reporting.

With iOS 18.3 and its companion updates though, there have been no leaks so far.

Some possibilities based on pushed features include:

Largely though, I’m hoping for some surprises. Maybe the Journal app will finally come to iPad? Or new Home features will pave the way for 2025’s ‘HomePad’?

In any case, we shouldn’t have to wait long to find out what Apple has in store for iOS 18.3.

What do you hope to see in iOS 18.3? Will you install the beta right away? Let us know in the comments.

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