Updating to iOS 18.3.2 primarily addresses a critical security vulnerability and resolves an issue affecting the playback of certain streaming content. However, there are some potential side effects and considerations to be aware of:
1. Security Vulnerability Fix: The update fixes a significant security flaw in WebKit, which could allow malicious web content to escape the Web Content sandbox. This vulnerability has been exploited in real-world attacks, making it crucial for users to update promptly[1][5].
2. Streaming Content Playback: iOS 18.3.2 resolves an issue that may prevent the playback of certain streaming content. This ensures smoother media consumption for users[1][3].
3. Battery Health Concerns: While not directly related to iOS 18.3.2, iOS 18 updates in general have been noted to cause significant drops in battery health due to the recalibration of battery cycles during updates. This is a common phenomenon but seems more pronounced with iOS 18 updates[3].
4. Apple Intelligence: There have been reports that Apple Intelligence is enabled by default in some iOS updates, which can lead to battery drain issues. Users experiencing such problems may want to consider disabling this feature[2].
5. General Update Issues: As with any software update, there might be isolated cases of unexpected reboots or other minor glitches. However, these are typically rare and can often be resolved with a simple restart or reset.
Overall, while iOS 18.3.2 is primarily a security-focused update, users should be mindful of potential battery health impacts and other minor issues that can arise from updating iOS versions.
Citations:
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2025/03/12/ios-1832-update-now-warning-issued-to-all-iphone-users/
[2] https://www.zdnet.com/article/ios-18-3-update-draining-your-iphone-battery-5-potential-causes-and-how-to-fix-them/
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYTmvFivjVQ
[4] https://www.macworld.com/article/2221069/ios-18-latest-version-release-problems-features-compatibility-beta.html
[5] https://www.phonearena.com/news/apple-patches-iphone-security-flaw-with-ios-18.3.2-while-releasing-ios-18.4-beta-3_id168416
[6] https://www.reddit.com/r/iPhone15Pro/comments/1iikf0t/be_careful_updating_to_official_ios_183/
[7] https://support.apple.com/en-us/121161
[8] https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255780268