Apple Releases iOS 11.3 Update Solely for New iPad

Apple today released the long-awaited iOS 11.3 update, but it appears the software is only available for download on the sixth-generation iPad, which was announced yesterday at an education event in Chicago.

The sixth-generation iPad went on sale yesterday, but the first orders won't be delivered until later this week and the device is not yet in stores.

ipaddisplaydesign
Customers with the new iPad can download iOS 11.3 over-the-air using the Settings app. To access the update, go to Settings --> General --> Software Update.

iOS 11.3 introduces a long list of new features, such as Messages on iCloud for storing your iMessages in iCloud to save valuable on-device storage space.

The update also introduces ARKit 1.5, a new version of ARKit that allows developers to do more with augmented reality apps, and it includes a "Battery Health" feature designed to provide iOS users with more information about their batteries.

Other new features include new review sorting options in the App Store, software authentication for HomeKit devices, Business Chat for contacting businesses using iMessage, and more.

It's not clear why Apple has released iOS 11.3 for the new iPad and not for any other devices, but the surprise launch suggests the release of iOS 11.3 for other Apple products is imminent and could perhaps come later this week.

Related Forum: iOS 11

Popular Stories

Apple Logo Black

Apple Just Made Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever After Beats

Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio. Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014. Q.ai has...
Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. At the time,...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
imac video apple feature

Apple Unveils First New Products of 2026

Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch. Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
apple unsold web store

Retail Accessories Apple Won't Sell You Now Available via New Site

Friday January 30, 2026 8:46 am PST by
A newly surfaced resale operation is seemingly offering Apple Store–exclusive display accessories to the public for the first time, potentially giving consumers access to Apple-designed hardware that the company has historically kept confined to its retail environments. Apple designs a range of premium MagSafe charging stands, display trays, and hardware systems exclusively for displays in ...

Top Rated Comments

maflynn Avatar
103 months ago
This proves ios 11 was always catered to iPads and an afterthought mostly on iPhones
No it doesn't. It just means that the new iPad needed an update.
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chucker23n1 Avatar
103 months ago
With Cook, software release cycles are a f mess
Under Steve Jobs, iOS 3.2 was iPad-only, and then iOS 4.0 and 4.1 were iPhone-only. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
[doublepost=1522257949][/doublepost]
Surely this is because the new iPad comes with 11.3 and therefore 11.3 is needed for anyone that needs a restore?
Maybe.

Could also be simply that they're tracking down an iPhone-specific bug.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
103 months ago
under cook, software release cycles are a mess
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Steve121178 Avatar
103 months ago
Why?, think im going to ditch iOS
Calm down, it's not like 11.3 has been cancelled.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KrisLord Avatar
103 months ago
Surely this is because the new iPad comes with 11.3 and therefore 11.3 is needed for anyone that needs a restore?
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fokmik Avatar
103 months ago
So whats the point for this release today? since even the single one device that supports this isn't out yet until Friday or Monday
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)