iOS 16.3 Updates: What All New Features You Can Get?

Apple has released iOS 16.3 beta 2 to public beta testers. It has an intriguing new feature that allows you to find parking using Apple Maps. The first iOS 16.3 beta appeared shortly after the release of iOS 16.2 and brought a few new features to testers' iPhones as well.

Since these are beta versions of iOS 16.3, the features might be buggy and your device's battery life may be shortened, so it's best to keep betas on a secondary device or wait until they've been tried and tested fully.

Here's what's new in iOS 16.3 beta software for public beta testers. Keep in mind that the beta is still running, so when iOS 16.3 is released, these likely won't be the only new features for your iPhone. The public release of iOS 16.3 has not yet been announced.

A new feature in iOS 16.3 to find nearby parking

If you use Apple Maps to get directions, you can now find nearby parking in Maps. When looking for a place to go, select Parking and then tap More (...). This launches SpotHero, an online service that enables you to locate, reserve, and pay for parking in a nearby garage or parking lot. SpotHero also lets you reserve a spot. However, this feature is only available in a few cities.

New ways to use Emergency SOS via satellite

At Apple's 2022 event in September, new ways to use Emergency SOS via satellite were demonstrated. The service can now be used in new ways on your iPhone thanks to the new beta software.

Call with Hold and Release has taken the place of the Call with Hold option in iOS 16.3 beta 2. You can set an alarm and countdown by holding the side button and the volume button if you enable Call with Hold and Release.

Release the buttons after the countdown, and your iPhone will automatically dial 911. Prior to Call with Hold, the Emergency SOS Call slider was accessed by pressing the volume and side buttons simultaneously.

A countdown would begin, and an alarm would sound if you continued to hold down the buttons. Your phone would make an emergency call after the countdown was over.

Additionally, there is the option to make a quiet emergency SOS call. When you enable this setting, your phone will not start flashing or sounding an alarm when you attempt to make an emergency SOS call.

Security keys come to Apple ID

Users will be able to use third-party security keys instead of two-factor authentication for their Apple ID with the beta software.

Security keys are similar to home keys. You still use passwords, but this extra layer of protection can help keep you safe from hackers and phishing scams. Apple's security keys feature can only be used with security keys that have been approved by the FIDO Alliance.

New HomePod Handoff prompts

When attempting to use Handoff to transfer music, podcasts, or phone calls to the speaker, beta testers with an Apple HomePod will receive new prompts. The messages go on to explain how Handoff and your HomePod work.

The iOS 16.3 beta's most important new features include those. Before iOS 16.3, Apple is likely to add more features.