Beta 3 of iOS 13.3 & iPadOS 13.3 Released for Testing

Apple has released the third beta version of iOS 13.3 and ipadOS 13.3 to users enrolled in the beta system software programs for iPhone and iPad.

Typically a developer beta version rolls out first, soon followed by a public beta release.

Separately, Apple has also released new beta builds for MacOS Catalina 10.15.2, watchOS 6.1.1, and tvOS 13.3.

Users enrolled in the beta testing programs for iOS and iPadOS 13.3 can find the latest beta builds available now in the Software Update section of the Settings app.

iOS and iPadOS 13.3 beta presumably focus on bug fixes and refinements to the mobile operating systems, but also introduce a few new features to iPhone and iPad.

Perhaps most notable with betas of iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3 is the addition of Communication Limits for Screen Time, which allow for controls to be placed on types of communication and what contacts a phone user is communicating with through apps like Messages and FaceTime. Theoretically this could allow a parent to limit a child to something like an hour per day on a chat app, or on the phone with a particular person, but obviously the feature could be used in other ways too.

iOS 13.3 and ipadOS 13.3 also include support for hardware-based security keys for two-factor authentication, and an ability to hide Animoji stickers from the Emoji keyboard.

There are several other minor changes in the betas of iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3 as well, including a new option for saving edited video clips to a new video.

Because this is beta system software, it’s possible any of these currently tested features will change or be removed before the final release to the general public.

Apple usually goes through a variety of beta builds before issuing a final release, suggesting that iOS 13.3 and iPadOS 13.3 final versions may arrive later in the year.

The most recently available stable build of iOS and iPadOS is currently iOS 13.2.3 and iPadOS 13.2.3 updates which were just made available.