A new iPhone update specifically for three iPhones is swiftly released by Apple
Apple's iPhone 11 lineup includes the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
"Currently, it is only available for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. If you wish to install it, you must use a Mac or Windows computer, plug in your device, and then install it via the Finder by choosing Update," according to Aaron Zollo of the YouTube channel Zollotech.
According to Zollotech, even if you pick the over-the-air approach to update from previous software, you will still receive the previous build rather than the new one.
I can confirm that I brought my purple iPhone 11 out of retirement and updated it in the usual method. It took a while—it had been sitting idle for about five years, to be honest, so the download was very large. When it was done, I verified the build number (via Settings, About, and pressing "iOS Version") and discovered that it is indeed build number 22D63.
I then connected the iPhone to my MacBook Pro via USB-C to Lightning connection, confirmed that I trusted the other device, launched the Finder, and selected the iPhone. Initially, the statement on the window that opened stated that the phone was up to date.
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However, clicking on Check for Update resulted in a notice stating, "A new iPhone software version (18.3) is available for the iPhone." Would you want to download and update your iPhone right now?"
Apple's release notes then surfaced, including changes to Visual Intelligence and Notification Summaries (which do not apply to the iPhone 11) as well as a summary of what is significant.
This says, "This update contains the following upgrades and bug fixes: When you hit the equals sign again, the calculator performs the last mathematical operation. Fixes an issue where the keyboard may vanish when you type a Siri request. Resolves an issue in which audio playback continues until the song is finished even after quitting Apple Music."
The update was large, coming in at 8.25GB, and took less than two minutes to download before backing up the iPhone and installing the software. A few minutes later, I checked the build number again, and it had changed to 22D64, the iPhone 11 special version. I also tried connecting my iPhone 16 Pro Max to the Mac to see if I could get it to update to the latest build number, but it wouldn't. This indicates that the build number is solely for the iPhone 11 series.
Apple hasn't explained why the iPhone 11 series is getting this extra version, although a glitch appears to be the most likely cause. Some Reddit users have mentioned stories of Safari breaking and Mail difficulties, although neither has been confirmed by Apple.
The initial update, build number 22D63, was published on Monday, January 27th. However, on Monday, February 3, Apple published iOS 18.3 with the updated build number 22D64. You wouldn't need to know this unless you own one of the iPhone 11 series devices, which were originally introduced in autumn 2019. If you do, go to the Settings app and select Software Upgrade. You'll see an opportunity to upgrade to the latest version.
Apple hasn't revealed what's inside. We know what's not in it: the numerous Apple Intelligence modifications included in iOS 18.3 for the most recent iPhone models. Apple Intelligence is only compatible with the iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and 16 series.
So, the new version is most likely there to address something that didn't fully work in the initial release, which only the iPhone 11 series seems to have an issue with.
The notes only mention three issues that other iPhones have had resolved in the most recent version. First, when you hit the equals sign, the Calculator app now repeats the last mathematical operation, which it previously did and may now do again. Second, it resolves an issue in which the keyboard may vanish when commencing a written Siri request. Third, the update fixes an issue in which audio playback continues until the song ends, even after quitting Apple Music. That's an odd one.
If you own an iPhone 11 series, even if you've previously upgraded to iOS 18.3, Apple recommends that you install this latest version. As the closeness of build numbers implies, it's fairly identical to the last one; hopefully, this time it will cure troubles.