Apple has officially started beta testing of a new update iOS 18.3 for iPhone users. Although it doesn’t bring any major changes, there are some interesting changes and bug fixes worth mentioning. Developers got the first beta on December 16, and if Apple’s past schedule is any indication, the public release should come in late January. For example, iOS 17.3 was launched on January 22, 2024, iOS 16.3 on January 23, 2023, and iOS 15.3 on January 26, 2022. Therefore, a late January rollout of iOS 18.3 seems to be a safe bet.

Unlike previous updates, iOS 18.3 focuses on small improvements rather than introducing major features. One of the standout features is support for robot vacuums in the Home app. This means you’ll soon be able to add your smart vacuum to HomeKit, letting you control it with Siri, set up automations, and monitor its status. For example, you can ask Siri to clean a specific room or perform cleaning as part of your daily routine. Apple revealed that the Home app will support core functions like turning the vacuum on and off, switching between cleaning modes, and checking its charge status. Although the exact timeline for when robot vacuum manufacturers will come on board is not yet clear, iOS 18.3 is laying the groundwork for seamless integration.

As always, bug fixes are also part of the iOS 18.3 update. Apple has addressed two notable issues related to Apple Intelligence. The first solution fixes an issue where personalized Genmojis would not be generated properly unless you selected a different person first. The second improvement ensures that third-party apps that use the Writing Tools API can now provide a full inline experience, even if their first responder is not a UIView. The update also includes some minor changes. For example, the icon for the Image Playground app has been slightly changed. In the Feedback app, you can now log in using Face ID or Touch ID instead of typing your password every time. Accessibility settings have also received a small update, as the camera control menu icon now works better with dark mode.

It’s still early days for iOS 18.3, and there’s always a possibility Apple could add more features as beta testing continues. But for now, this update appears to be focused on refining the little details that make the iPhone experience smoother. Hopefully Apple will save its big features for iOS 18.4, but iOS 18.3 still has some charm for those paying attention.