Update your iPhone! iOS 16.3 fixes bugs and adds these new features
With iOS 16.2, Apple rolled out Freeform, a whiteboard app that lets you collaborate on journals, mood boards, games, notes and more with others. Tap or click here for more information about this inspiring app.
Apple released iOS 16.3 this week, adding security features and cosmetic options. Here’s what’s new.
Support for physical security keys
Apple is adding a Security Keys feature, which allows you to use third-party physical security keys to strengthen its two-factor authentication.
These security keys look like a thumb drive or tag and are used for verification when signing in with your Apple ID. You need two pieces of information for 2FA. In this case, the first will be your Apple ID password, and the second will be a physical security key. This provides extra protection from targeted cyberattacks.
Apple requires FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) certified security keys, which can connect to your device via NFC (near-field communication) and USB-A, USB-C and Lightning ports. You must add and maintain at least two security keys.
Here’s how to set up Security Keys for your iPhone:
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap Password & Security > Add Security Keys.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to add your keys.
- Review the devices associated with your Apple ID, then choose to stay signed in to all active devices or sign out of the ones you don’t want accessing your account.
Other fixes
Apple listed a dozen security fixes involving apps such as Mail, Maps, Safari and Weather. More fixes addressed exploits that can lead to arbitrary code execution and denial of service.
Emergency SOS has been updated to prevent accidental emergency calls. You still have to hold the side buttons to place the calls, but now they must be released as well.
Skip the card: How to pay with your phone or smartwatch
Credit cards have been around for nearly three-quarters of a century and have evolved to the point where you don’t even need to swipe your card or insert it into a chip reader. Using Radio-frequency identification (RFID) or Near-Field Communication (NFC), you need only hold your card close to the reader or tap it to complete a transaction.