News Release Candidates for iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, Available for Testing

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Apple has issued Release Candidate builds for iOS 17.3, iPadOS 17.3, macOS Sonoma 14.3, watchOS 10.3, and tvOS 17.3, for users involved in the beta testing programs.


Release Candidate (RC) builds are typically the final version of a beta release cycle before the update becomes broadly available to all users. Occasionally, a second (or even third) RC build is released, if some notable bug or security issue is addressed.
The final versions of iOS 17.3, ipadOS 17.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.3 will be released next Tuesday, on January 23, according to Apple.

The most significant new feature included in iOS 17.3 is Stolen Device Protection, which intends to make it more difficult for a thief who knows a device passcode to cause problems or turn off Find My / Lost Mode, by requiring Face ID or Touch ID in addition to the passcode before certain changes can be made on the device. Obviously this requires the usage of Face ID or Touch ID on the device in question.

Another smaller new feature available for iOS 17.3, ipadOS 17.3, and macOS 14.3, is the ability to collaborate on Apple Music playlists, and to use Emoji reactions in those playlists.
iOS 17.3 also gains a new Black Unity wallpaper to celebrate Black culture and Black History Month, and the ability to more easily stream AirPlay content in hotel rooms.

Downloading iOS 17.3 RC / iPadOS 17.3 RC​

iPhone and iPad beta testers can find iOS 17.3 RC and iPadOS 17.3 RC available to download now in Settings > General > Software Update.
Release notes for iOS 17.3 mention the new features and changes:

Stolen Device Protection
– Stolen Device Protection increases security of iPhone and Apple ID by requiring Face ID or Touch ID with no passcode fallback to perform certain actions
– Security Delay requires Face ID or Touch ID, an hour wait, and then an additional successful biometric authentication before sensitive operations like changing device passcode or Apple ID password can be performed
Lock Screen
– New Unity wallpaper honors Black history and culture in celebration of Black History Month
Music
– Collaborate on playlists allows you to invite friends to join your playlist and everyone can add, reorder, and remove songs
– Emoji reactions can be added to any track in a collaborative playlist
This update also includes the following improvements:
– AirPlay hotel support lets you stream content directly to the TV in your room in select hotels
– AppleCare & Warranty in Settings shows your coverage for all devices signed in with your Apple ID
– Crash detection optimizations (all iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models)

Downloading macOS Sonoma 14.3 RC​

Mac beta testers can find macOS Sonoma 14.3 RC available to download now from  > System Settings > General > Software Update
Release notes for macOS Sonoma 14.3 are not exactly significant or verbose:

macOS Sonoma 14.3 introduces enhancements to Apple Music, as well as other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.
– Collaborate on playlists in Apple Music allows you to invite friends to join your playlist and everyone can add, reorder, and remove songs
– Emoji reactions can be added to any track in a collaborative playlist in Apple Music
– AppleCare & Warranty in Settings shows your coverage for all devices signed in with your Apple ID

Apple has announced that the final public releases of these versions of system software are due next week on January 23, so you can prepare for those future software updates if you need to.