iOS Uncovered: Exploring Hidden Features, Changes, and Updates in iOS 18.3 RC [Videos]

Apple has just rolled out the release candidate for iOS 18.3, following the release of iOS 18.3 developer beta 3 last Thursday. According to the release notes, this update includes enhancements to visual intelligence, along with standard improvements, bug fixes, and security updates.

However, there is more than meets the eye with the iOS 18.3 release candidate. Hidden within are hints of upcoming changes for Siri in iOS 18.4, potential modifications for screen recording/streaming, and new animations for Shortcuts and Messages. In the accompanying video, we delve into what’s new in iOS 18.3. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content like this.

What’s New in iOS 18.3 Release Candidate

The iOS 18.3 RC comes with the build number 22D60 and was made available to developers and public beta testers on January 21, 2025.

While iOS 18.3 may not be packed with features like its predecessors iOS 18.1 and 18.2, this is generally expected behavior for x.3 releases. Nonetheless, there are numerous changes beneath the surface and several user-facing updates to discover in iOS 18.3.

Visual Intelligence

A fresh feature for iPhone 16 users allows the addition of events to the Calendar from posters or flyers, along with the ability to identify plants and animals. I tested both functionalities, and they performed as anticipated.

The highlight feature in iOS 18.3 was unveiled last week with updated Notification Summaries. Apple has clarified that this feature is still in beta, and to mitigate problems related to so-called AI hallucinations, it has turned off summaries for the entire News & Entertainment category. This is a significant measure and is necessary given the inaccurate headlines generated for prominent news outlets like BBC News and the New York Times. For further details, check out our comprehensive review on iOS 18.3 beta 3:

Calculator Now Repeats Last Mathematical Operation

This feature, which appeared in earlier iOS 18.3 betas, is expected to be popular once iOS 18.3 officially launches. Similar to previous releases before iOS 18, users can now continuously press the equals sign to repeat mathematical operations.

New Zoom Transition Animation for Shortcuts and Messages

iOS 18.3 suggests the development of new transition animations for both Shortcuts and the Messages app. Check out the video at the top of the page to see the new Zoom animation in action. It’s a small yet pleasant enhancement.

Hints of Apple Intelligence Integration in Shortcuts

Although Apple Intelligence hasn’t been fully integrated with Shortcuts yet, it appears that Apple is working on this feature based on new code strings found in iOS 18.3.

Upcoming Screen Recording/Streaming Features

Although these features aren’t live in iOS 18.3 yet, we’ve spotted new details on forthcoming screen recording and streaming capabilities. Users will soon be able to:

• Record with stereo microphone audio
• Display a live camera overlay using picture-in-picture UI
• Utilize HDR support for screen recording

DMN’s Perspective

While iOS 18.3 might not feature eye-catching highlights like its two previous updates, it does include several notable changes. These consist of both user-facing enhancements and backend updates that point towards future iOS versions and hardware advancements. We will return next week with a thorough overview of everything new once iOS 18.3 becomes publicly available. Meanwhile, feel free to share your thoughts below!