Messages in iCloud Not Present in the Final Version of iOS 11.3
The wait for Messages in iCloud continues. After adding the feature in during the beta testing period, it has been removed in the final version of iOS 11.3 released to the public today.
With the feature, users can see all of the conversations synced between iOS devices and their Mac using iCloud. For example, when a message is deleted on an iPhone, it will automatically disappear on an iPad.
Originally announced back at WWDC in June 2017, it was included in all beta versions of iOS 11 before being pulled in the final version that arrived last September.
At least one noted Apple expert believes that Apple never intended to released Messages in iCloud or AirPlay 2 in iOS 11.3.
Note: I don’t believe AirPlay 2 or iMessage Sync were ever scheduled for release in 11.3 — just more data gathered for development during the beta.
— Rene Ritchie (@reneritchie) March 29, 2018
Both should still be coming “later this year.”
Interestingly, iOS 11.3 beta 6, the last version available to developers still has the feature enabled. While that version is labeled as 15E5216A, the just-released public version is 15E5216.
More than likely, for those still running the last beta version, Apple will simply disable the Message sync feature on its end.
While both Messages in iCloud and AirPlay 2 could be added back in iOS 11.4 that Apple mentioned during Tuesday’s special education event, a safer bet is to expect both in iOS 12. That software should be unveiled in June at WWDC and officially arrive sometime in the fall.
