WORLDTECHApple opens first iOS 27.3 developer beta to iPhone users
According to 9to5Mac, Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 27.3 for iPhone. The beta brings back a redesigned Health app that had been pulled from the iOS 27.2 beta, and it opens a new round of testing ahead of a full release due in December.
Health app returns in the new beta
Apple introduced the upgrade during the iOS 27.2 beta cycle before restoring the earlier Health app in beta 4. The redesigned Health app, previewed in September, is back in iOS 27.3 with Insights and Longevity tabs that present more information about health and fitness metrics.
The Insights tab displays recent health data such as Activity Rings, heart rate, sleep score and vitals. The Health app is also set to offer suggestions based on a user's goals and the kinds of activities they perform. A readiness score is meant to help users decide whether to push harder, take a recovery day or work out as usual.
The update also includes Health Age and the ability to schedule lab work through Quest Diagnostics.
Wider changes and availability
For now, iOS 27.3 is available only through the developer beta program. Registered developers can download it by going to Settings, General, Software Update and opting in to the developer beta. Apple released the first developer betas of iOS 27.3 and watchOS 27.3, and the iPadOS 27.3 beta arrived a week after iOS 27.2 and iPadOS 27.2 were released.
9to5Mac reports that the betas add Audio Intelligence for the latest Apple Watches and Apple Intelligence for China. Apple Intelligence features such as Siri, Writing Tools and Visual Intelligence now work in China, integrating Alibaba's Qwen model. Live Translation also works with AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2 and later models.
Other changes include a Vertical Tabs layout option and Adaptive Dark Mode for websites in Safari, expanded Siri actions in Mail and Weather, and Reachability on the iPhone Duo, which can be switched on or off under Settings, Accessibility, Touch, Reachability.
Features still missing from the beta
Apple has not yet reintroduced the Safari feature that uses Apple Intelligence to fix weak or compromised passwords. Siri AI is also not yet available in this beta, although many other capabilities are.
Open questions
- When will the full release of iOS 27.3 arrive in December?
- Will the Safari password repair feature return before the final release?