Don’t be alarmed in case your brand-new iPhone 16 prompts you to replace to iOS 18 though your cellphone is already working iOS 18. And in addition don’t freak out whenever you see a fear-inducing “Welcome to iPhone” display screen after you replace to iOS 18.0 construct 22A3354, though it seems to be suspiciously like you have to to undergo the tedious iPhone setup course of once more.
Apple is at the moment distributing an sudden iOS 18 replace to brand-new iPhones which might be already working iOS 18. It seems to be like Apple put in an earlier model of iOS on telephones within the manufacturing unit. Now it’s updating them to the most recent model.
As Apple says, the replace to iOS 18.0 construct 22A3354 at the moment rolling out brings “important bug fixes and security updates” to all fashions within the iPhone 16 lineup. With a bit of luck, it’ll repair the touchscreen issues reported by some iPhone 16 Professional house owners, however which may simply be wishful pondering. (Cult of Mac requested Apple if the replace addresses the touchscreen downside. We’ll replace this publish when/if we obtain information on the replace.)
iOS 18.0 (22A3354) brings sudden replace to iPhone 16 lineup
Apple launched the iPhone 16 lineup final Friday. Whereas the brand new units all run iOS 18, they don’t all run the identical model of iOS 18, doubtless as a result of logistical nightmare of transport thousands and thousands of telephones world wide.
Generally, a post-release replace fixes minor issues. That appears to be the case with the sudden iOS 18 replace some iPhone customers obtained this week. The replace to iOS 18.0 (22A3354) brings “important bug fixes and security updates” to all fashions within the iPhone 16 lineup, in response to the discharge notes.
That’s normal Apple boilerplate for minor however vital modifications. Nonetheless, receiving a discover to improve a brand new cellphone to the working system it’s already working may be complicated.
“So, who else recently got offered an iOS 18 update on their iPhone that was already running iOS 18?” wrote Unintended Tech Podcast host John Siracusa on Mastodon on Monday. “I did, and I installed the update, after which I saw the ‘Hello’ welcome screen again and then got prompted to enable Stolen Device Protection. Weird.”
Siracusa famous he by no means ran any of the iOS 18 betas.
Don’t fear (and activate Stolen System Safety)
Apple seems to be rolling out the replace in a staggered style. I obtained the replace discover Wednesday morning, simply three days after finishing the setup course of for my new iPhone 16 Professional. Then, I dutifully up to date from iOS 18.0 (22A3351), which got here put in on my system. I hoped it could repair the intermittent touchscreen downside that may trigger faucets and swipes to go unnoticed.
The twist got here after I up to date. I additionally noticed the “hello” animation that performs whenever you first activate a brand new iPhone. Then I noticed a disturbing “Welcome to iPhone” display screen that made me suppose I might quickly plunge into the entire iPhone setup rigmarole for the second time in every week.
The excellent news? After a display screen advising me to activate the Stolen System Safety characteristic (which I did), the whole lot appeared regular. (I’m pretty sure I had this turned on on my iPhone 15 Professional however no matter. Perhaps the setting did not switch.)
By the best way, you need to activate Stolen System Safety, too. As we wrote in our how-to on Stolen System Safety, the characteristic “gives elevated security in your accounts and monetary info if somebody steals your handset and its passcode.
iOS 18.0 construct 22A3354 is the discharge candidate
Screenshot: Cult of Mac
After a bit of digging, Cult of Mac discovered that iOS 18.0 (22A3354) — the model pushed on this week’s mysterious iPhone replace — is the very same construct quantity as iOS 18 RC. (The “RC” stands for “release candidate,” the ultimate model earlier than an Apple working system strikes out of beta.) Apple launched iOS 18.0 (22A3354) on September 9.
Normally, it’s been an odd 12 months for Apple betas, thanks largely to Apple Intelligence. For the reason that upcoming suite of AI-powered providers solely works on iPhone 15 Professional and newer, Apple had two beta tracks going on the similar time. One stayed on iOS 18, presumably for older units, whereas the iOS 18.1 beta gave testers an early style of Apple Intelligence.
Apparently, not all iPhone 16 fashions shipped with the older model of iOS 18. (You’ll be able to test your model by going to Settings > Common > About > iOS Model. Then faucet on iOS 18.0 to see the precise construct.) Which appears form of stunning, contemplating the corporate reportedly makes use of a brand new system known as Presto to replace iPhone working techniques within the field at Apple Shops.
Lengthy story quick, go forward and improve your iPhone 16 to iOS 18.0 construct 22A3354 when Apple prompts you to take action. With a bit of luck, it’ll repair the touchscreen downside (in addition to making certain most safety in your iPhone).