iOS 18 Beta 3 Release Notes for Developers

Last week, Apple rolled out iOS 18 beta 3 and seeded some new improvements for developers, here are some of the changes mentioned in the release notes.

iOS 18 Beta 3 Release Notes:

Accessibility
Resolved Issues
Fixed: User might be unable to play newly added background sounds (Fire and Night). (128898875)

Fixed: Sound Recognition and Sound Actions might not work on iPad Pro models with M4. (128949527)

Fixed: Music Haptics might disappear after the first time it is entered in Accessibility Settings until Settings restarts. (128960448)

AccessorySetupKit
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Users might be unable to rename Accessory’s display name or SSID. (128958722)

Activity Sharing
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Notifications for workouts completed by a friend might show incorrect text. (128939058)

AdAttributionKit
New Features
AdAttributionKit now supports measuring re-engagement, which is click-through attribution for apps that were already installed. Re-engagement also supports deep linking into content in apps using Universal Links. (111224069)

Resolved Issues
Fixed an issue where development postbacks fail to send after developer mode has been enabled for an extended period of time. (130100361)

App Intents
Known Issues
@UnionValue types currently only work as intent results. Attempting to use a @UnionValue as the type of an intent parameter or entity property results in failure to compile. (128069844)

AppIntent static properties including title and description are not concurrency-safe. (128090148)

Workaround: Convert the affected static properties into computed properties.

Parameterless @Parameter and @Property wrappers might cause protocol conformance failures. (130219933)

Workaround: Use parentheses on the property wrapper, e.g. @Parameter().

App Store
New Features
On-demand resources limits were increased for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, tvOS 18 and visionOS 2. See On-demand resources size limits for more information. (122163236)

Apple Cash
Known Issues
With Tap to Cash, you can send and receive Apple Cash by holding two iPhones together. An Apple Cash account is required to send and receive payments. Payments will be returned to the sender if the receiver doesn’t set up an Apple Cash account or verify their personal information within 7 days. For Developer Beta, Tap to Cash payments cannot exceed $250 per transaction. Transaction limits are subject to change, including lowering limits, at any time during the Developer or Public Betas without notice. (128977390)

Assistive Access
Resolved Issues
Fixed: The Messages app might hang in Assistive Access. (127601737)

Fixed: Users might not be able to add Photos or Camera apps to Assistive Access and the apps might be removed from an existing user’s setup if they open Assistive Access settings. (128905924)

Audio
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Some bluetooth headphones might not be useable as an audio output route with certain AVAudioSession configurations. (126693883)

Calculator
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Deleting history item with the Edit button visually deletes the top item in the list. The backing data stays correct. (126768783)

Camera
Resolved Issues
Fixed: For Camera background replacement, it might be necessary to double click to add a background image from your Photos Library using the Photo Picker. (122358378)

Fixed: First Portrait capture after boot might take longer than expected to finish. (128881179)

Fixed: Camera functions might take up to 2 minutes to work after booting iPhone/iPad. (128899310)

Fixed: When using the Document Scanning feature from Camera app on iPad, it might sometimes result in a black screen instead of a live preview from camera. (128907349)

Fixed: Portrait mode preview with rear facing camera might show artifacts when pointed at objects when using Stage Light, Stage Light Mono, and High-Key Light Mono light filters. Artifacts will not affect captured assets. (129024197)

CarPlay
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Bluetooth pairing UI could become irresponsive for BMW users, which leads to failed contact transfer. (129043855)

CFNetwork
Resolved Issues
Fixed: CFNetworkExecuteProxyAutoConfigurationScript and CFNetworkExecuteProxyAutoConfigurationURL have always returned a +1 retained CF type object, but the function declarations were not decorated with the CF_RETURNS_RETAINED attribute until iOS 18, macOS 15, tvOS 18, and visionOS 2.

For C-based languages, the clang static analyzer might note if the object is leaked. No source code changes are required, but they are encouraged to fix the leak.

For Swift, this changes the return type of these functions from Unmanaged<> to the actual CF type returned, which will require a source change to fix when compiling with newer SDKs. However, Swift programs compiled with older SDKs will continue to work on the new OSes, though the returned CF type object will continue to leak as it did prior to this change. (126154509)

Containerization
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Improved the handling of the duplicate containers created by Xcode 15 through 15.3. Those versions of Xcode might create duplicate containers on the device. This change ensures that the app launches with a consistent container and that deleting the app also deletes any duplicate containers. (123480553)

Control Center
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Empty pages in Control Center might linger after exiting edit mode. (126760824)

Fixed: Control widgets with a parameterized OpenIntent action are not configurable. (128241927)

Fixed: Voice Memos control will not render correctly or be functional after upgrading to iOS 18 if it was part of Control Center prior to the update. (129184182)

Known Issues
Control Center page control is overlapped by the Dynamic Island in landscape. (125913281)

App Icons in Control Center gallery always appear in Dark Mode. (126721275)

Core ML
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Core ML Model Deployment API is unavailable (MLModelCollection and MLModelCollectionEntry). Consider using Background Assets or NSURLSession instead. (122955353)

CoreMedia
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Seeking into an interstitial event with non-zero resumption offset on the integrated timeline might result in the event being cancelled. (129175283)

Display
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Phones with Always on Display enabled might panic/reboot on exit. (128268712)

FaceTime
New Features
FaceTime in Low Data Mode now uses more data when network conditions are good for improved video call quality. (128408959)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: When user picks up FaceTime Video call from lock screen and unlock the device later, the camera might be disabled where user cannot see remote side via PiP and vice versa. (124719544)

Files
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Users might be unable to navigate within Move panel in the Files app on iPhone. (128868597)

FinanceKit
Known Issues
Transactions shared via the Transaction Picker might have empty description strings. (128618523)

Fitness+
Resolved Issues
Fixed: The Fitness app might not load the Fitness+ For You page immediately on first launch. (127116109)

Foundation
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Date.ComponentsFormatStyle was incorrectly producing strings like “1m” with the Date.ComponentsFormatStyle.Style.condensedAbbreviated style and strings like “1min” with the .narrow style instead of the other way around. The behavior was corrected to match the behavior of Duration.UnitsFormatStyle.UnitWidth. (125790342)

Freeform
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Some images inserted into iWork and Freeform might be zoomed in. (128637913)

Handwriting
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Auto-refine animation contains rendering issues for users with Display Zoom set to “More Space” within the Display & Brightness settings. (129419813)

Headphone Accommodations
New Features
Headphone Accommodations can now be configured on macOS. When user set up Headphone Accommodations with AirPods Pro 2s, user will continue to hear audio adjusted when connected to other audio sources. (130245415)

Health
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Doses of medication logged via mirrored watch notifications for incompatible schedule types do not save on phone if device is locked. (128635016)

Fixed: Period flow is displayed as Bleeding during Pregnancy and Bleeding after Pregnancy in Cycle Detail View. (128929595)

Fixed: When Heart Rate Watch App is deleted, Health Checklist in Health App and Watch Settings still show features (Irregular Rhythm Notifications, High Heart Rate Notifications, Low Heart Rate Notifications) as active. (128970200)

Fixed: The Cycle Tracking snippet might continue to display flow or symptoms logged pre-pregnancy. (129066144)

Known Issues
In Cycle Tracking, multiple pregnancy samples might be saved after a user adds or edits a pregnancy. (121271613)

Workaround: Delete the extra pregnancy samples, if relevant.

Cardio Fitness notifications will not turn back on automatically 12 weeks post pregnancy or after a pregnancy cycle factor is deleted. (128659463)

Workaround: Turn Cardio Fitness notifications back on manually.

In Cycle Tracking, if a pregnancy sample is edited or created on a device different than where pregnancy onboarding was completed, Medical ID might not display pregnancy information correctly. (130784441)

Workaround: Edit Medical ID to add pregnancy information.

HealthKit
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Workout routes for workout types created by Apple Watch Workout app are not available in third-party workout apps. (123450917)

Home app
Known Issues
If a user has multiple devices running beta 1 or 2 and onboarded Home with a Utility account, the account might get offboarded when one device is upgraded to beta 3. (130850945)

Workaround: Re-onboard Home Utility account, only after upgrading all devices to beta 3.

Home Screen
Resolved Issues
Fixed: There might be a delay when switching to dark or tinted icons on the home screen. (129069905)

Known Issues
Icon tint slider knob might not update to selected color on the first use after boot. (129114071)

Workaround: Dismiss Home Screen customization sheet and bring up again to update.

HomeKit
Known Issues
Accessory Firmware update will not be offered for an accessory if a user reboots the resident or the primary switches. (128255088)

Workaround: Rebooting primary resident will allow any pending firmware updates to be offered in the Home app.

iCloud Drive
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Frequently changed files syncing over iCloud Drive will use more data than expected. (128771010)

iPhone Mirroring
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Dictation is available during iPhone Mirroring. (126654567)

Fixed: Keyboard input might not work in Spotlight or App Library when using iPhone Mirroring. (126928807)

Fixed: Users might be able to launch lock screen apps while using iPhone Mirroring. (128281331)

Fixed: Settings might show incompatible devices under iPhone Mirroring. (128633492)

Fixed: The camera is not enabled in any case, and only FaceTime shows the alert. FaceTime triggers the “Camera not allowed in iPhone Mirroring” alert. Other apps do not trigger the alert though the Camera is disabled. (128646948)

Journaling Suggestions
New Features
Journaling Suggestions is introducing a set of new features to keep encouraging people to reflect and write about their day-to-day experiences to get the mental wellbeing benefits of Journaling. The API now supports Landscape mode and Reflection prompts. Added support for State of Mind logged on Health or Journal app, Run and mixed Walk/Run sessions performed while carrying a standalone iPhone, Media played by apps that donate to MPNowPlayingInfoCenter, People and Pet names from Photos and enhancements to Trips Suggestions to highlight Countries and States visited. (129029773)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: Users might experience blank suggestions or engineering text. (128774773)

Fixed: Users might experience long spinner after tapping ‘+’ to open Journaling Suggestions sheet. (128950895)

Fixed: When tapping ‘+’ to launch the Journaling Suggestions sheet, it might not launch. (128970387)

Kernel
Deprecations
kern.bootsessionuuid is no longer available to apps. (47217954)

Keyboard
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Users will not be able to configure Keyboard in Settings, including adding/removing keyboards for different languages or adding/removing keyboard extensions. (129174947)

Lock Screen
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Lock Screen Quick Action buttons might disappear. (128096099)

Fixed: Users will be unable to configure Controls that have configuration on the Lock Screen. (128967021)

Maps
New Features
Introduced Place ID, a unique and persistent identifier. (129071038)

Added new resultTypes to MKLocalSearch.Request and additional PointofInterestCategory values. (129073725)

Introduced Place Card API to show Maps Place Card UI. (129073922)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: Maps Share ETA might fail when sending to a recipient via SMS. (127547239)

Fixed: The Place Card API might fail to load place details. (128504304)

Fixed: In searches that use MKLocalSearch.Request, the result type option physicalFeature is ignored. (128961972)

Known Issues
Conversion between a point in the map view and a physical location (CLLocationCoordinate2D) might be imprecise at high zoom levels. (129042241)

Math Notes
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Adjusting negative numbers can lead to multiple negative signs. (123738353)

Fixed: Adjusting a number with a comma can immediately change the number value to 0. (127904684)

Memory Allocation
New Features
The system memory allocator (malloc(3)) has switched to a new implementation for most allocation sizes. Users might experience exposure of latent memory access bugs due to changes in heap layout, differences in performance for allocation-heavy workloads, and changes in fragmentation. (127493322)

Messages
New Features
Sent and received messages via satellite might not be relayed to your other devices. (125574729)

Messages via satellite is currently available only in the U.S. SMS messaging via satellite is available on select carriers in iOS 18 Beta 1. (127751557)

RCS messaging is available on select carriers. (131499640)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: A send message sound will play when scheduling the message instead of when the message is sent. (121896789)

Fixed: When applying tapbacks by long pressing on a Message, users will be unable to use 3rd party stickers. (122379099)

Fixed: Emoji tapbacks might display incorrectly in SMS group conversations. (127446747)

Fixed an issue where multi-part SMS notifications for MMS are not correctly processed by the device while on-grid. (128880899)

Fixed: Existing RCS 1:1/Group chat will downgrade to SMS even if RCS is still registered. (130029732)

Known Issues
When off grid, text message conversations might incorrectly display text suggesting that the carrier does not support text messages via satellite, even though user is able to send and receive text messages over satellite. (127334940)

Networking
Resolved Issues
Fixed: For apps linked on macOS 15 / iOS 18 or newer, the default User-Agent request header field value generated by URLSession now includes the unlocalized bundle name instead of the localized bundle name. (117380285)

Notifications
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Incoming notifications on Lock Screen might not be seen when in List View. (129021171)

Photos
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Photos and videos might stop syncing via iCloud Photo Library. (128325085)

Known Issues
Photos-related services might not respond. This issue can impact iCloud Photo Library syncing, Camera captures, Screenshot captures, and Sharing. (130739189)

Workaround: Reboot the device using Settings > General > Shut Down.

Platform
New Features
On Apple Silicon based devices with M3 or later, and A16 Bionic or later, the values returned by reading the CNTFRQ_EL0 and CNTVCT_EL0 registers have been updated to 1 GHz, instead of the prior value of 24 MHz. It is still recommended for apps to use libsystem APIs like mach_absolute_time() for timekeeping. Your app will not be impacted by this change if it uses Apple’s timekeeping APIs. For compatibility purposes, this change will only be visible when using the SDK associated with this release or later. On macOS, applications running inside a Virtualization.framework VM will continue to receive the legacy behavior. (84639494)

Podcasts
Known Issues
Podcasts will incorrectly show “View Transcript” as an option in shortcuts. (131070716)

Previews
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Triggering an on-device preview might fail. (129150211)

RealityKit
New Features
USD files which use Catmull-Clark subdivision now render using subdivision in RealityKit. Meshes which produce less than 35,000 patches can render using subdivision. This can increase memory consumption and reduce rendering performance. (129016034)

Virtual objects now render using the Display P3 color gamut. When using a DrawableQueue connected to a TextureResource with the .color semantic, render using the Display P3 color space. (129017592)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: The pixelCast function might not work correctly on iOS. (125742631)

Fixed: Grounding shadows are less prominent than expected. (126498888)

Fixed: Using an Image 2D Array Shader Graph node in Reality Composer Pro might result in corruption or a system crash. (127122590)

Fixed: Grounding shadows will not be visible in ARQL on certain iPad Pros. Apps enabling ray-traced shadows via Xcode storyboards will not take affect. (127748381)

Fixed: Setting the environment property of a RealityView to .worldTracking does not automatically start an ARKit session, and the background of your RealityView might be black. (128417183)

Fixed: Physics simulation behavior is different from previous releases. (128435086)

Fixed: The stop function on SpatialTrackingSesssion has no effect. (128559666)

Fixed: Emphasize actions are always additive and should be played with separateAnimatedValue set to true. (128622689)

Fixed: In the Swift 6 language mode, subclasses of the Entity class fail to compile. (128787131)

Fixed: The .trigger mode of CollisionComponent no longer generates CollisionEvents when both involved collision shapes use the .trigger mode. (129016567)

Fixed: [.world, .plane, .image, .object, .face, .camera] anchor capabilities used in conjunction with any scene understanding capabilities on a device without a LiDAR scanner would cause those anchor capabilities to not work. (129253808)

Fixed: Adding too many (100+) dynamic lights in the scene can trigger an ALE. (129424857)

Known Issues
Reality files written by beta versions of RealityKit might not load in later versions. (128424173)

Workaround: Only distribute Reality files written by released or release candidate versions of RealityKit.

Deprecations
In previous versions, the order of child entities was sometimes preserved. Now, the order of an Entity’s children might not be reliable and can change unexpectedly when any child is reparented. (129015381)

Screen Time
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Parent approving remotely from the parent device will always grant 1 hour, regardless of whether a child asks for a 15-minute, 1-hour, or all-day exception for an app or website. (129084141)

Fixed: When an Apple Watch is upgraded to 11.0 from an earlier Beta, Screen Time App Limits might be deleted for both the parent and child. If this occurs, parent will need to add back the app limits. (130981807)

Search
Known Issues
The “Help Apple Improve Search” control is not functional. (129226418)

Settings
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Recents and search results are sometimes missing and might not navigate to nested panes. (128802504)

Fixed: The available storage listed in General > About might be incorrect. (129688831)

Known Issues
When navigating to Settings > General > Storage, the Settings app might crash if you have not opened Podcasts prior. (131180865)

Workaround: Launch the Podcasts app and wait until library migration is completed.

Shortcuts
Resolved Issues
Fixed: The Shortcuts editor might offer some new actions that are not yet ready for use. If you save a shortcut with one of these actions, you might need to correct it after a future update with the corrected actions. (128841105)

Fixed: Adding or removing SiriKit intents or App Intents might not reflect immediately in the Shortcuts app. (130039560)

Simulator
Resolved Issues
Fixed: Using Safari in the simulator can cause the simulator to hang. (128545001)

Siri
New Features
In iOS 18, when an iPhone is connected via Bluetooth to a vehicle without CarPlay, Siri’s audio quality can be significantly improved through the new option “Respond over Media Source”. First, users need to enable the setting by going to (with Developer settings enabled) Settings, “Developers” → “Siri in Bluetooth Car testing” → Toggle “Show Audio Output in Settings”. Users then will be able to use this feature by going to Settings “Siri & Search” → “Siri Responses” → “When Connected to Car Bluetooth”. (128692679)

StoreKit
New Features
The SubscriptionStoreView now supports custom control styles. To create a custom control style, declare a type that conforms to SubscriptionStoreControlStyle and implement makeBody(configuration:) method. (106819454)

New standard styles are available for laying out subscription store view controls with a compact height. Use pagedPicker and pagedProminentPicker for a platform appropriate paging effect, or compactPicker to place options in a horizontal stack. For watchOS, the new pagedPicker style is available for laying out SubscriptionStoreView controls with a compact height. (110286601)

Use types such as SubscriptionOptionGroup and SubscriptionPeriodGroupSet to declare a hierarchical structure for your SubscriptionStoreView. You can use the subscriptionStoreOptionGroupStyle(_:) to choose between presenting groups as a tab view or as navigation links. (110429924) (FB12264937)

The subscription status RenewalInfo object now supports new properties renewalPrice and currency to indicate the price at which the subscription will renew, and its currency. There is also a new offer property containing the information of the offer that will be applied to the next renewal, if there is any. This includes the offer ID, the offer type, and the payment mode. (114217892)

Finished consumables can now be included when using the Transaction APIs. Users can enable this feature by setting SKInAppPurchaseHistoryIncludesConsumables to true in app’s Info.plist. (115079880)

When configuring the control style for a SubscriptionStoreView, users can specify a placement for the controls using the subscriptionStoreControlStyle(_:placement:) view modifier. For tvOS, by default SubscriptionStoreView will place the controls trailing the marketing content. (115319543)

When building an app with Xcode 16, SubscriptionStoreView instances using the picker control style have an updated appearance. Use subscriptionStorePickerItemBackground(_:in:) to configure a different background color and shape for the picker items. (120558960)

Users can now use APIs like monthly or yearly to get common Product.SubscriptionPeriod values when comparing subscription periods. (122684230)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: VoiceOver does not read a product’s title and description in ProductView and StoreView. (124254957) (FB13679318)

Fixed an issue where the tab control in SusbcriptionStoreView is too wide when using StoreContent with the tabs option group style. (128567088)

Known Issues
When using SubscriptionStorePicker within a container view, the window bar doesn’t work correctly. (117701666)

Workaround: Return SubscriptionStorePicker as a top level view from makeBody(configuration:) method, instead of using it within a container.

Deprecations
The Original API for In-App Purchase is now deprecated, including: SKStoreReviewController, SKProduct, SKReceiptRefreshRequest, SKStorefront, SKPayment, SKRequest, SKProductsRequest, and SKProductDiscount. Please upgrade to StoreKit 2 for current APIs and future enhancements. (116600524)

Swift Charts
New Features
Plot math functions using LinePlot and AreaPlot. (117186178)

Visualize large datasets more efficiently using vectorized plot APIs such as PointPlot and RectanglePlot. (117469419)

Resolved Issues
Fixed: Rotated axis labels stretch to incorrect sizes. (106013386)

Fixed: Blur and shadow effects on marks might disappear during animation. (125493885)

Fixed: Glitches when animating a connected scatter plot made of LineMark. (127196185)

Fixed: Stroke styles can now be animated. (127465359)

Fixed: For function plots, the Y domain cannot be inferred automatically. (128877906)

Fixed: Animations involving charts might lead to the disappearance of marks with a .foregroundStyle(Color) throughout the duration of the animation, even if the color did not change. (130023892)

(Source – Apple)