Two iOS updates recently - what do iOS 10.3 and 10.3.1 deliver and should you update?

Last week (on March 28th), Apple released another major update to to our iPhone and iPad operating system iOS -  iOS 10.3.  Hot on the heals of that major update came another update overnight on April 4th - a 'fix' release, iOS 10.3.1.  
 
If you visit Settings -> General -> Software Update, you should notice that the latest version awaiting download and install is 10.3.1 (which will incorporate 10.3 if you hadn't already installed that update).

iOS 10.3/10.3.1 provide some new functionality, a major overhaul of the 'file system' that manages everything on your device, as well as some significant changes in the location of some very important Settings.

See later in this article for details of what is included in these latest updates.

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​Should you update now?

Updating to this latest iOS version can be done at any time, with a couple of major warnings that need to be heeded before proceeding. 

1. Due to the major changes to the underlying file system that iOS 10.3 delivers, is essential that you have backed up your device before you proceed with the update.  
   
   If something goes wrong during the update, you will need to be able to restore from this backup.  This means ensuring that you have an iCloud backup or an iTunes backup of the device.  (If you are not sure how to do this, iTandCoffee can assist - call 1300 885 420 to make an appointment.)
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2. ​iOS 10.3 is a larger update update than most, and will take quite a while to download and install.  
   
   Don't be fooled into thinking it has stalled part way through - stopping the update during installation can corrupt your device and require a factory reset and restore from backup.
   
   This slowness of the 10.3 update is due to the new file system that it is installing device, one that will improve performance and (hopefully) enhance battery life.

Where have iCloud settings gone?

Having updated to iOS 10.3 on March 28th, I had not yet had a chance to review the changes that it brought. 

I was therefore surprised this week when I went to Settings to look at my iCloud setup, and found that the iCloud settings were no longer where they used to be.  Drat.  More changes to iTandCoffee guides and presentations!

It took me some time to work out just where they had gone.

​Your settings for iCloud are now found at the very top of the Settings screen.  

​You should see your name with an > on the right-hand side.

Tap on this to view all sorts of information about your Apple ID, payment method, iCloud, iTunes and App Store, Family Sharing, and the devices that are using your iCloud (as shown in the first image of this article).

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What is in iOS 10.3 and 10.3.1?

Here is the information on iOS 10.3 and 10.3.1, provided by the Apple Support page.

iOS 10.3​
Released Mar 28, 2017.  iOS 10.3 introduces new features including the ability to locate AirPods using Find my iPhone and more ways to use Siri with payment, ride booking and automaker apps.
 
Find My iPhone

• View the current or last known location of your AirPods
• Play a sound on one or both AirPods to help you find them 

Siri

• Support for paying and checking status of bills with payment apps
• Support for scheduling with ride booking apps
• Support for checking car fuel level, lock status, turning on lights and activating horn with automaker apps
• Cricket sports scores and statistics for Indian Premier League and International Cricket Council 

CarPlay

• Shortcuts in the status bar for easy access to last used apps
• Apple Music Now Playing screen gives access to Up Next and the currently playing song’s album
• Daily curated playlists and new music categories in Apple Music

Other improvements and fixes

• Rent once and watch your iTunes movies across your devices
• New Settings unified view for your Apple ID account information, settings and devices
• Hourly weather in Maps using 3D Touch on the displayed current temperature
• Support for searching “parked car" in Maps
• Calendar adds the ability to delete an unwanted invite and report it as junk
• Home app support to trigger scenes using accessories with switches and buttons
• Home app support for accessory battery level status
• Podcasts support for 3D Touch and Today widget to access recently updated shows
• Podcast shows or episodes are shareable to Messages with full playback support
• Fixes an issue that could prevent Maps from displaying your current location after resetting Location & Privacy
• VoiceOver stability improvements for Phone, Safari and Mail

iOS 10.3.1
Released April 3, 2017
Wi-Fi
Available for: iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4th generation and later, iPod touch 6th generation and later
Impact: An attacker within range may be able to execute arbitrary code on the Wi-Fi chip
Description: A stack buffer overflow was addressed through improved input validation.