iOS 11.3 Download Released, Update Now for iPhone & iPad [IPSW Links]

Apple has released iOS 11.3 for iPhone and iPad. The final version of iOS 11.3 includes multiple bug fixes, performance improvements, and several new features.

Separately, Apple has released tvOS 11.3 for Apple TV, and watchOS 4.3 for Apple Watch. HomePod also has a 2GB software update available for the speaker system. For Mac users, macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 is available along with Security Update 2018-02 for earlier system software builds.

iOS 11.3 includes bug fixes and enhancements for iPhone and iPad, along with four new Animoji icons for iPhone X, a new Battery Health feature in the Settings app, along with small updates to various default apps like Health.

How to Download & Install iOS 11.3 Update

The easiest way to download and install iOS 11.3 is through the Settings app Software Update mechanism of iOS. Be sure to back up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud or iTunes (or both) before installing any software update.

Open the “Settings” app in iOS Go to “General” and then to “Software Update” When “OS 11.3” is shown as available, tap on “Download & Install” to begin the process of installing the software update

Users can also install iOS 11.3 through iTunes and a computer, or by using IPSW files, but either of those requires a computer and a USB cable.

iOS 11.3 IPSW Download Links

For users who like to use IPSW to install iOS software updates, the links below point to IPSW files hosted on Apple servers. For best results, right-click and choose “Save As” and be sur the file has an .ipsw file extension.

iPhone X iPhone 8 iPhone 8 Plus iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus iPhone 6 Plus iPhone 6 iPhone SE iPhone 5s iPad Pro 10.5 inch iPad Pro 12.9 inch 1st generation iPad Pro 12.9 inch 2nd generation iPad Pro 9.7 inch iPad 2017 model, not pro, 9.7 inch iPad 2018 model not pro 9.7-inch iPad Air 1 iPad Air 2 iPad Mini 4 iPad Mini 3 iPad Mini 2 iPod Touch 6th generation

Using IPSW is generally considered advanced and unnecessary for most users to engage in, though it is not particularly complex.

iOS 11.3 Release Notes

Full release notes accompanying the iOS 11.3 software update are as follows:

iOS 11.3 introduces new features including ARKit 1.5 with support for more immersive augmented reality experiences, iPhone Battery Health (Beta), new Animoji for iPhone X users, and more. This update also includes stability improvements and bug fixes. 

Augmented Reality 

– ARKit 1.5 allows developers to place digital objects on vertical surfaces like walls and doors in addition to horizontal surfaces 

– Adds support for detecting and incorporating images like movie posters or artwork into AR experiences 

– Supports a higher resolution real world camera view when using AR experiences 

iPhone Battery Health (Beta) 

– Displays information on iPhone maximum battery capacity and peak performance capability 

– Indicates if the performance management feature that dynamically manages maximum performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns is on and includes the option to disable it 

– Recommends if a battery needs to be replaced 

iPad charge management 

– Maintains battery health when iPad is connected to power for prolonged periods of time, such as when it is used in kiosks, point of sale systems, or stored in charging carts 

Animoji 

– Introduces four new Animoji on iPhone X: lion, bear, dragon and skull 

Privacy 

– When an Apple feature asks to use your personal information, an icon now appears along with a link to detailed information explaining how your data will be used and protected 

Business Chat (Beta) – US only 

– Communicate with companies to easily ask questions, schedule appointments, and make purchases inside the built-in Messages app on iPhone and iPad 

Health Records (Beta) – US only 

– Access health records and view lab results, immunizations, and more in a consolidated timeline in the Health app 

Apple Music 

– Features a new music video experience, including an updated Music Videos section with exclusive video playlists 

– Find friends that have similar tastes using updated suggestions in Apple Music that reveal genres people enjoy and mutual friends that follow them 

News 

– Top Stories now always appear first in For You 

– Watch Top Videos curated by News editors 

App Store 

– Adds ability to sort customer reviews on product pages by Most Helpful, Most Favorable, Most Critical, or Most Recent 
– Improves Updates tab information with app version and file size 

Safari 

– Helps protect privacy by only AutoFilling usernames and passwords after selecting them in a web form field 

– Includes warnings in the Smart Search Field when interacting with password or credit card forms on non-encrypted web pages 

– AutoFill for usernames and passwords is now available in web views within apps 

– Articles shared to Mail from Safari are now formatted using Reader mode by default when Reader is available 

– Folders in Favorites now show icons for the bookmarks contained within 

Keyboards 

– Adds two new Shuangpin keyboard layouts 

– Adds support for connected hardware keyboards using the Turkish F keyboard layout 

– Improves Chinese and Japanese keyboards for better reachability on 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch devices 

– Enables switching back to the keyboard after dictation with just one tap 

– Addresses an issue where auto-correct could incorrectly capitalize some words

– Fixes an issue on iPad Pro that prevented the iPad Smart Keyboard from working after connecting to a captive Wi-Fi access point 

– Fixes an issue that could cause the Thai keyboard to incorrectly switch to the numeric layout when in landscape mode 

Accessibility 

– App Store adds accessibility support for bold and large text for display customization 

– Smart Invert adds support for images on the web and in Mail messages 

– Improves RTT experience and adds RTT support for T-Mobile 

– Improves app switching on iPad for VoiceOver and Switch Control users 

– Addresses an issue where VoiceOver incorrectly described Bluetooth status and badge icons 

– Fixes an issue where end call button might not be presented in the Phone app when using VoiceOver 

– Fixes an issue where in-app app rating was not accessible with VoiceOver 

– Resolves an issue when using Live Listen that could distort audio playback 

Other improvements and fixes 

– Introduces support for the AML standard which provides more accurate location data to emergency responders when SOS is triggered (in supported countries) 

– Adds support for software authentication as a new way for developers to create and enable HomeKit compatible accessories 

– Podcasts now plays episodes with a single tap, and you can tap Details to learn more about each episode 

– Improves search performance for users with long notes in Contacts 

– Improves performance of Handoff and Universal Clipboard when both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network 

– Fixes an issue that could prevent incoming calls from waking the display
 
– Addresses an issue that could delay or prevent playback of Visual Voicemail 

– Resolves an issue that prevented opening a web link in Messages 

– Fixes an issue that could prevent users from returning to Mail after previewing a message attachment 

– Fixes an issue that could cause Mail notifications to reappear on the Lock screen after they had been cleared 

– Resolves an issue that could cause time and notifications to disappear from the Lock Screen 

– Resolves an issue that prevented parents from using Face ID to approve Ask to Buy requests 

– Fixes an issue in Weather where current weather conditions may not have been updated 

– Fixes an issue where contacts may not sync with a car’s phone book when connected over Bluetooth 

– Addresses an issue that could prevent audio apps from playing in cars when the app was in the background

Separately, watchOS 4.3 and tvOS 11.3 are also available to download and install for Apple Watch and Apple TV, respectively. WatchOS 4.3 has a new Nightstand mode setting, along with updated music controls. HomePod users can find a large 2GB software update available for their HomePod speaker. Mac users will also find macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 or Security Update 2018-002 available as software updates, depending on which version of system software they are running.