Mystery Apple iPhone update coming ‘in weeks’

Apple is secretly testing an unknown software update less than two weeks after iOS 18.3 dropped. The most recent update to iOS 18 revamped the Silicon Valley giant’s artificial intelligence model, Apple Intelligence. While not the most action-packed redesign in living memory, it included tweaks to how the AI summarises notifications and the calculator app. Beta testers have since been eagerly waiting for iOS 18.4 to be rolled out, with expected updates including more AI upgrades and an overhaul of Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri.

But they might be waiting a little while longer as Apple will reportedly release iOS 18.3.1 in the ‘coming weeks’. This is according to two outlets that, when it comes to prophesising all things Apple, are usually spot on, MacRumors and 9to5Mac. Citing the site’s own analytic logs that show devices running the unreleased version of iOS, MacRumors said the ‘minor update’ will likely tighten up your iPhone and iPad’s security.

However, Apple gossipers suggest that one feature that could be included in iOS 18.3.1 is the return of Apple Intelligence notification summaries for news and entertainment apps. Apple temporarily disabled the function in iOS 18.3 after news outlets accused the feature of producing inaccurate headlines and summaries. The company said it would re-enable the notifications ‘with a future software update’.

Apple iOS 18.3, which arrived on January 27, focused on security patches. Twenty-nine to be exact. One vulnerability the urgent update addressed was ‘CVE-2025-24085,’ which allowed hackers to gain extra permissions to snoop around your device. So, when 18.3.1 is released, it’ll likely say: ‘This update provides important bug fixes and is recommended for all users.’. The description for iOS 18.4, however, will likely be different. On top of AI enhancements, new emojis will likely drop including a seriously tired-looking face, a turnip and a leafless tree.

Apple hinted in October that to align with EU law, iPhone and iPad users will soon be able to set a default navigation and translation app, rather than it be Apple’s own. The upcoming update will be released in April after beta testing, MacRumors said. A casual reminder though that Apple Intelligence is only available on an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any model in the iPhone 16 family. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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