Release Candidate of iOS 18.3 & MacOS Sequoia 15.3 Available for Beta Testers

Apple has issued a Release Candidate build of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and MacOS Sequoia 15.3, to users who are participating in the beta testing programs for Apple system software. There are also RC builds for tvOS 18.3, visionOS 2.3, and watchOS 11.3 as well.

Release Candidate builds are typically made available at the end of the usual beta testing cycle, indicating that a final release is nearing to the general public, possibly as soon as next week.

The RC beta software updates include a few minor bug fixes and minor features, including some Apple Intelligence refinements, and Genmoji for the Mac. Release notes for the updates are below.

The latest RC builds are available from the standard software update distribution systems.

How to Install iOS/iPadOS 18.3 Release Candidate

Beta testers for iOS/iPadOS can find the latest RC update in the Settings app:

1. Open “Settings” on the iPhone or iPad, and then to “General”
2. Select “Software Update”
3. Select to update to iOS 18.3 or iPadOS 18.3

How to Install MacOS Sequoia 15.3 Release Candidate

Mac beta testers can find the RC update from Software Update:

1. From the  Apple menu choose “System Settings”
2. Select “General” and then “Software Update”
3. Choose to “Update Now” to install MacOS Sequoia 15.3

The device must restart to finish installation.

MacOS Sequoia 15.3 Release Notes

The release notes for Sequoia 15.3 are as follows:

This update introduces Genmoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, and also includes other enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your Mac.

– Genmoji creation in Messages and other apps
– Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you click the equals sign again
– Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen (Mac with Apple silicon)
– Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph (Mac with Apple silicon)
– Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available (Mac with Apple silicon)

Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100

iOS 18.3 Release Notes

Release notes for iOS 18.3 are as follows:

Visual intelligence with Camera Control (All iPhone 16 models)
– Add an event to Calendar from a poster or flyer
– Easily identify plants and animals

Notification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
– Easily manage settings for notification summaries from the Lock Screen
– Updated style for summarized notifications better distinguishes them from other notifications by using italicized text as well as the glyph
– Notification summaries for News & Entertainment apps are temporarily unavailable, and users who opt-in will see them again when the feature becomes available

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes: – Calculator repeats the last mathematical operation when you tap the equals sign again
– Fixes an issue where the keyboard might disappear when initiating a typed Siri request
– Resolves an issue where audio playback continues until the song ends even after closing Apple Music

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

When will iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and MacOS Sequoia 15.3 be released?

The Release Candidate build is usually the final version of a beta cycle before the software is released to the general public, unless any other notable bugs are found. This suggests the final versions of iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and MacOS Sequoia 15.3 will be made available in the near future, perhaps next week.

Currently, the latest versions of major Apple system software are macOS Sequoia 15.2 for Mac, iOS 18.2.1 for iPhone, and iPadOS 18.2.1 for iPad.