Apple Releases iOS 9.3.3 With Bug Fixes and Performance Improvements

Apple today released iOS 9.3.3 to the public, marking the third minor update to iOS 9 since iOS 9.3 launched in March of 2016. In testing since May 23, there were five betas of iOS 9.3.3 released to developers and public beta testers ahead of the public release of the software.

Today's iOS 9.3.3 release is available as an over-the-air update for all iOS 9 users and it can also be downloaded through iTunes.

appleios93
As a small 9.x.x update, iOS 9.3.3 focuses mainly on under-the-hood performance improvements and bug fixes rather than outward-facing changes.

iOS 9.3.2 is the ninth update to the iOS 9 operating system, following iOS 9.0.1, iOS 9.0.2, iOS 9.1, iOS 9.2, iOS 9.2.1, iOS 9.3, iOS 9.3.1, and iOS 9.3.2. iOS 9 will be followed by iOS 10, which has already been provided to developers.

iOS 10 brings a host of new features, including a revamped Lock screen experience, an overhauled Messages app with new functionality and its own App Store, a new Photos app with object and facial recognition, a redesigned Music app, a centralized HomeKit app, and a Siri SDK for developers.

Related Forum: iOS 9

Top Rated Comments

darkfiber Avatar
94 months ago
I don't know why Apple bother to release these minor updates when iOS 10 is literally a couple of months away where they're going to introduce a hell lot of new bugs.
1. Because iOS 10 won't be out until September and you don't leave bugs and security issues unfixed for months just because the next version is coming out. Not to mention the fact that iOS 10 will certainly introduce a number of bugs and security issues on its own.

2. Not everyone will install iOS 10 right away (if ever). Many businesses for example use iOS devices and they aren't going to jump on the next version of iOS until they are sure their applications work with it.

3. iOS 9.x will be the last version of iOS for devices that have the A5 chip, which means the iPhone 4S, iPod Touch (5th generation), iPad 2, iPad (3rd generation) and iPad Mini (1st generation). So I am sure Apple wants to leave them a bug free version of the last version of iOS that they can run.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
_Refurbished_ Avatar
94 months ago
You guys always list performance improvements in the article title and most of the time the update doesn't include any performance enhancements.

Can you provide a link that indicates what performance improvements are in 9.3.3?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Alphazoid Avatar
94 months ago
I don't know why Apple bother to release these minor updates when iOS 10 is literally a couple of months away where they're going to introduce a hell lot of new bugs.
Because not everyone is going to upgrade straightway and there are existing bugs/security fixes that need to be addressed.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
XTheLancerX Avatar
94 months ago
Oh is that only with 6s plus? I got the 6s
Yes, and possibly the 6 Plus as well. Only the "Plus" sized iPhones have rotation of the home screen. Also they have rotation of some other apps like settings and the App Store, as well as dual-pane UI features like on iPad. For example, on iPad, messages has the list of conversations on the left and the conversation's contents to the right. The 6 Plus and 6S Plus have this as well in landscape. The 6 and 6S only show the conversation in landscape, no list to the left. Same goes for settings
I'm still running 9.0 and it works fine plan on keeping it that way at least until 10 arrives but won't jump right into 10 will wait several months after.

I've learned that if your device is running smoothly and great battery then there is no need to rush into these updates especially if your device came with 9.0
You only have till September to update to the newest version of iOS 9, which is MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH smoother and FAR more stable and quick. If you're on iOS 9, it is strongly advised to update to any 9.x.x release. for example if you're on iOS 8, any 8.x.x update is pretty safe and highly recommended to upgrade to. However if you're on 9.x, it would be good practice to be wary about upgrading to a 10.x.x release. Particularly 10.0.x.

So yeah, going up a major version, like iOS 9 to iOS 10, or iOS 7 to iOS 8 would be more risky and good to be wary about. More minor releases like a .1, .2, .3 etc of the same version is actually very good to upgrade to because they're meant to fix things and make your device smoother and faster. And the iOS 9.1, especially iOS 9.2, and 9.3 updates have done just that. My iPhone 6 and particularly my iPad mini 2 were HORRIBLE, *very* choppy and slowww with iOS 9.0.x and 9.1. It wasn't until iOS 9.2 that things were "okay" but still not great. Tolerable at least. I didn't want to sell my devices anymore. Then with iOS 9.3? They run like a total dream... Really good. And you get Night Shift, which is awesome. It makes your screen have more of an amber tone at night which is much easier on the eyes when using your phone in the dark for example. I really like it.

I *highly*, *HIGHLY*, recommend that you update to 9.3.3. It made my devices so much better to use.

If you want to jailbreak though, don't upgrade. iOS 9.0.x can currently be jailbroken, but iOS 9.2+ cannot be. still no word on when a jailbreak will come out for these newer releases of iOS 9, and it's been months.

So yeah. If you jailbreak, jailbreak while you can. If you don't jailbreak though, for the love of god, update the hell out of your device to 9.3.3. You won't regret it. My devices perform COMPLETELY differently under 9.3.x as opposed to 9.0. It was like buying all new devices, after moving up to 9.3. Be wary when iOS 10 drops though.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGuder Avatar
94 months ago
I'm still running 9.0 and it works fine plan on keeping it that way at least until 10 arrives but won't jump right into 10 will wait several months after.

I've learned that if your device is running smoothly and great battery then there is no need to rush into these updates especially if your device came with 9.0
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
94 months ago
On a 6+, I stayed on 9.3.1 and skipped 9.3.2 cuz I knew that 9.3.3 was right around the corner.

9.3.3 is noticeably snappier than 9.3.1.
I noticed it instantly.
Good update.
Thank you Apple.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 for All iPhones and iPads

Tuesday September 26, 2023 12:47 pm PDT by
Apple today released iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates, with the software coming five days after the releases of iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1. Today's iOS 17.0.2 and iPadOS 17.0.2 updates arrive as build 21A351 and can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that iOS 17.0.2 was previously made available for iPhone...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Concerns Highlighted in Two More Reports

Thursday September 28, 2023 6:25 am PDT by
iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max overheating concerns continue to make headlines this week, with the topic highlighted by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg. Both of the reports document anecdotal complaints from customers, and outline potential causes, but it's unclear how many devices are actually affected. Bloomberg said the overheating could be caused or compounded by the iPhone's setup...
iPhone 15 Pro Lineup Feature

Kuo: iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issues Likely Due to Thermal Compromises, Not 3nm Node

Tuesday September 26, 2023 9:12 am PDT by
Complaints about heat issues with the iPhone 15 Pro models are not related to TSMC's 3-nanometer node that was used for the A17 Pro chip, according to well-respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo says that overheating could be caused by "compromises made in the thermal system design" that allowed Apple to cut down on the weight of the iPhone 15 Pro models. Kuo says that the reduced heat...
iPhone 15 USB C Port Keynote

Some USB-C Power Banks Fail to Work With iPhone 15

Thursday September 28, 2023 2:06 pm PDT by
Apple added a USB-C port to the iPhone 15 lineup this year, allowing it to work with USB-C cables, USB-C power banks, and more. It turns out that some USB-C battery packs are not working properly with Apple's iPhone 15, resulting in charging issues. As highlighted on Reddit and the MacRumors forums, not all existing USB-C power banks can be used with the iPhone 15 models, perhaps due to the...
Mac Gaming

Apple Explains How Game Mode Works in macOS Sonoma

Wednesday September 27, 2023 2:24 am PDT by
In macOS Sonoma, Game Mode prioritizes CPU and GPU performance for gaming purposes on Macs. For those unfamiliar with Game Mode, Apple on Tuesday published a support document providing more information on how to use the new feature. Game Mode optimizes your gaming experience by giving your game the highest priority access to your CPU and GPU, lowering usage for background tasks. And it...