Apple released iPadOS 18.3 on January 27, 2025. This update brings several notable changes, particularly to Apple Intelligence features, enhancing the overall experience for iPad users. It introduces Visual Intelligence and notification improvements, making iPads more capable and user-friendly.
The software update comes six weeks after the previous version, highlighting Apple’s ongoing commitment to regular enhancements. iPadOS 18.3 includes bug fixes and adjustments to Apple Intelligence, which is now enabled by default. This change is expected to improve the iPad’s ability to understand and respond to user needs.
Additionally, the update addresses security issues, although Apple typically does not disclose specific details until patches are available. Users can look forward to a variety of enhancements with iPadOS 18.3. While the update mainly focuses on behind-the-scenes improvements, it also lays the foundation for future features. iPad owners are encouraged to install this update to ensure their devices benefit from the latest security patches and performance optimizations.
iPadOS 18.3: What’s New?
Visual Intelligence Gets Smarter
iPadOS 18.3 improves Visual Intelligence, especially for iPhone 16 users. You can now add events to your Calendar directly from posters or flyers. Imagine seeing a concert poster and instantly adding it to your schedule. This feature streamlines event planning. Also, Visual Intelligence can now identify plants and animals. If you’re on a hike and see an unusual flower, your iPhone can tell you what it is. This adds a helpful layer of information to your experiences.
Notification Summary Changes
Apple has adjusted Notification Summaries. They temporarily removed summaries for news and entertainment apps. This change addresses issues with misleading alerts. It seems some news notifications weren’t really news at all. Apple also made it easier to manage notification summary settings from the Lock Screen. You have more control over what gets summarized and when. The style of summarized notifications is updated for better clarity. This makes it quicker to scan and understand your notifications.
Apple Intelligence: Now On By Default
Apple Intelligence is now automatically enabled for new users and those upgrading to iPadOS 18.3. This means you can start using these features immediately. No more digging through settings menus.
Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements
Like any update, iPadOS 18.3 includes bug fixes. Apple addressed problems with the Calculator app. This ensures accurate calculations. They also fixed issues with Siri. Siri should be more reliable and responsive. Apple Music also received some attention, with bug fixes to improve playback and library management.
Feature Comparison
Here’s a quick look at some key features:
| Feature | iPadOS 18.2 | iPadOS 18.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Intelligence Enhancements (iPhone 16 only) | No | Yes |
| Notification Summary Adjustments | Fewer controls, potential for misleading alerts | Improved controls, news/entertainment summaries temporarily removed |
| Apple Intelligence Default Setting | Off by default | On by default |
How to Update
Updating your iPad is easy. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure your iPad is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery life.
Battery Health Management
While not directly part of iPadOS 18.3, battery health is important. Apple offers features to manage battery health. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. You can see your battery’s maximum capacity. Lower capacity means your battery might need replacing sooner. Apple also offers Optimized Battery Charging. This feature learns your charging habits and waits to finish charging past 80% until right before you need to use your device. This can help prolong battery lifespan. Keeping your iPad’s software updated can also contribute to better battery management.
Key Takeaways
- iPadOS 18.3 introduces Visual Intelligence and notification improvements
- Apple Intelligence is now enabled by default on iPads
- The update includes important security fixes and performance enhancements
Key Features and Enhancements
iPadOS 18.3 brings significant improvements to user interface, apps, and device integration. The update focuses on enhancing productivity and user experience through refined visuals and expanded functionality.
Refined User Interface
The lock screen now displays summarized notifications, grouping similar alerts for easier viewing. Users can customize notification summaries based on their preferences. The update introduces new glyphs and italicized text options for app icons, allowing for greater personalization.
Visual Intelligence has been enhanced, enabling users to interact with on-screen elements more intuitively. This feature now recognizes and processes text in images more accurately, improving productivity across various apps.
The Calculator app has received a major overhaul. It now supports scientific functions and unit conversions, making complex calculations simpler on iPadOS.
Updated Apps and Services
Apple Music integration has been improved, offering smoother playback and enhanced playlist management. Users can now create collaborative playlists with friends and family.
The Calendar app now includes AI-powered event suggestions based on user habits and communication patterns. It can automatically create events from emails and messages, saving time on manual entry.
Siri has become more responsive to complex requests. The virtual assistant can now handle multi-step tasks and provide more detailed answers to queries.
Camera and Photos
iPadOS 18.3 introduces advanced camera controls previously exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. These include manual focus adjustments and improved low-light performance.
The Photos app now features AI-powered editing suggestions. It can recommend crops, filters, and adjustments based on the content of each image.
Face recognition capabilities have been expanded, allowing users to tag and search for people across their entire photo library more efficiently.
Integrations and Ecosystem
The update brings tighter integration with other Apple devices. Users can now seamlessly transfer active tasks between their iPad and Mac running macOS Sequoia 15.3.
AirPlay has been enhanced to support higher quality video streaming between Apple devices. This improvement is particularly noticeable when using an iPad as a second screen for a Mac.
iPadOS 18.3 also introduces new developer tools for creating cross-platform apps. This enables a more consistent experience across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
iPadOS 18.3 brings several updates and improvements. Users may have questions about its features, installation process, and compatibility.
What new features does iPadOS 18.3 introduce?
iPadOS 18.3 adds a native Calculator app to iPads for the first time. This long-awaited feature offers basic and scientific calculation functions.
The update also enhances AI capabilities across the system. Siri becomes more responsive and can handle complex multi-step requests.
How can I upgrade my iPad to iPadOS 18.3?
Users can upgrade to iPadOS 18.3 through the Settings app. Go to General > Software Update and follow the on-screen instructions.
It’s recommended to back up the iPad before updating. Users should connect to Wi-Fi and have sufficient battery life or connect to a power source.
Are there any known issues with iPadOS 18.3?
Some users report minor bugs with the new Calculator app. These include occasional display glitches when switching between portrait and landscape modes.
Apple is expected to address these issues in a future update. Most core functions of iPadOS 18.3 work smoothly for the majority of users.
How does iPadOS 18.3 improve security for iPad users?
iPadOS 18.3 includes several security enhancements. It patches vulnerabilities in previous versions and strengthens protection against malware.
The update also improves privacy features in Safari. Users gain more control over which websites can access their location and camera.
What are the system requirements for installing iPadOS 18.3?
iPadOS 18.3 is compatible with iPad Air 2 and later models. It requires at least 2GB of free storage space for installation.
Devices should have a stable internet connection for downloading the update. The installation process typically takes 15-30 minutes.
Where can I find the official release notes for iPadOS 18.3?
Apple publishes official release notes on their support website. These notes detail all changes, bug fixes, and new features in iPadOS 18.3.
Users can also find this information in the Software Update section of their iPad’s Settings app before initiating the update.
