RC of macOS Monterey 12.3, iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4 Released for Testers

Mar 8, 2022 - Leave a Comment

Apple has released a RC (Release Candidate) build of macOS Monterey 12.3, iOS 15.4, and iPadOS 15.4 to users who are participating in the beta testing programs for system software.

The RC builds typically indicate the final version of system software is just around the corner. Apple stated at the March 8 event that iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS 12.3 will be released next week.

Additionally, RC builds of watchOS 8.5 and tvOS 15.4 are available to users beta testing those system software versions.

macOS Monterey 12.3 RC build is 21E230, and includes support for Universal Control, a feature which enables a single keyboard and mouse to control multiple Macs and iPads. MacOS 12.3 also includes a new non-binary Siri voice option, new Emoji icons, and the release removes Python 2 from macOS.

iOS 15.4 RC includes iCloud Keychain notes, support for wearing masks with Face ID, a warning about stalking during AirTags setup, a gender neutral Siri voice option, Apple Card widget, support for COVID EU digital vaccine passport, and support for contactless payments.

iPadOS 15.4 RC includes support for Universal Control, usage of Face ID while wearing a mask, a gender neutral non-binary Siri voice option, iCloud Keychain notes, and new Emoji icons.

If you’re impatient, you can get the RC builds and try out Universal Control now with the RC beta builds on eligible Mac and iPads.

New Emoji icons are often the primary motivation for some users to update iOS and iPadOS, and this time around they include new emoji icons including a melting fan, troll, pregnant man, salute, life preserver, wheel with tire, low battery icon, a ghosted face, biting lip, low battery icon, bubbles, hands forming a heart, empty jar, empty nest, x-ray, beans, skin color diversity options for handshakes, coral reef, and more.