enhancement · changed
FaceTime received a revised icon
undocumentedreported
The seed displayed updated artwork for FaceTime.
Recorded at Beta 1
Release record
iOS 4.3
Full article
Public release
- Recorded milestones
- 4
- Beta cycle
- 56d
- Average interval
- 19d
- Public release
- Mar 9, 2011
Release notes
Overview
Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.
The feature release accelerated Safari JavaScript with Nitro, streamed a local Mac or PC iTunes library through Home Sharing, expanded AirPlay to more app, website, Photos, and iTunes content, and added Personal Hotspot for eligible iPhone 4 plans. It also let iPad owners assign the side switch to rotation lock or mute.[1]
Apple’s security advisory records fixes for crafted fonts and images, XML parsing, IPv6 address privacy, Safari cookie and URL-handler behavior, WebKit memory safety, and Wi-Fi frame validation. The local March 9 date agrees with Apple’s security index but precedes the March 11 date originally announced by Newsroom.[2][3][4]
Source ledger
References
Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.
- Apple Introduces iOS 4.3
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z · Principal iOS 4.3 features
- Apple security updates (2011 to 2012)
Apple Support · Apple · 2023-08-10T00:00:00.000Z · iOS 4.3 — 9 Mar 2011
- About the security content of iOS 4.3
Apple Support · 2026-07-30 · iOS 4.3 security content
- Apple Introduces iOS 4.3
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z · Originally announced March 11 availability
- Apple Introduces iOS 4.3
Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2011-03-02T00:00:00Z · iOS 4.3 features and originally planned availability
Documented & observed
Changes in this version
Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.
Release changes
Changed in this release
Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.
feature · introduced
iPad tested four- and five-finger gestures
partiallyDocumentedcorroborated
The preview used multi-finger pinches and swipes for Home, task switching, and movement between applications.
Recorded at Beta 1
- [1] New iOS beta released offering new gestures, Xcode updated with AirPlay services for apps · Apple gesture-preview excerpt
- [2] Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures · iPad gesture preview
developerApi · introduced
Web authors could opt into AirPlay video
documentedcorroborated
Media embedded in webpages could advertise AirPlay output through supported web-video interfaces.
Recorded at Beta 1
developerApi · introduced
iPad gained full-screen iAd banners
undocumentedreported
The beta exposed a full-screen advertising presentation sized for the tablet.
Recorded at Beta 1
- [1] Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures · Full-screen iAd on iPad
behavior · introduced
Configurable iPad side switch
undocumentedcorroborated
iPad users could choose whether the hardware side switch controlled rotation lock or mute.
Recorded at Beta 1
- [1] New iOS beta released offering new gestures, Xcode updated with AirPlay services for apps · Revert the orientation-lock functionality
- [2] iOS 4.3 Beta Brings Software Option for Rotation Lock or Mute on iPad · Side-switch setting
compatibility · removed
Two older device families left the test matrix
undocumentedcorroborated
Beta 1 omitted two aging models: iPhone 3G plus the second-generation iPod touch.
Recorded at Beta 1
- [1] Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures · Beta device availability
- [2] New iOS beta released offering new gestures, Xcode updated with AirPlay services for apps · Older-device support boundary
developerApi · introduced
Applications gained AirPlay video support
partiallyDocumentedcorroborated
Developers could allow compatible application video to play through an AirPlay receiver.
Recorded at Beta 1
- [1] Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures · AirPlay video from applications
- [2] New iOS beta released offering new gestures, Xcode updated with AirPlay services for apps · MPMoviePlayerController AirPlay option
feature · introduced
Personal Hotspot
undocumentedcorroborated
Eligible iPhone 4 users could share cellular data with nearby Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB devices.
Recorded at Beta 1
- [1] New iOS beta released offering new gestures, Xcode updated with AirPlay services for apps · Hotspot observation
- [2] Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures · Personal Hotspot settings
feature · changed
iPad tested four- and five-finger gestures
documentedcorroborated
Apple clarified that the gestures remained a developer evaluation in Beta 2 and would not ship enabled for customers.
Recorded at Beta 2
- [1] Apple Releases iOS 4.3 Beta 2, Here’s What’s New · Developer-note gesture clarification
- [2] Apple Releases Second Beta of iOS 4.3 to Developers · Gesture-preview customer boundary
compatibility · introduced
The SDK covered iPad 2 hardware
documentedconfirmed
Apple asked developers to update tablet apps for the new processor, cameras, and gyroscope.
Recorded at GM
- [1] iOS SDK 4.3 GM Seed Now Available · iPad 2 hardware guidance
enhancement · introduced
Safari adopted the Nitro JavaScript engine
documentedconfirmed
Mobile Safari used just-in-time JavaScript compilation to accelerate interactive webpages.
Recorded at GM
- [1] iOS SDK 4.3 GM Seed Now Available · Nitro browser performance
- [2] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · Nitro JavaScript engine
feature · introduced
iTunes Home Sharing reached iOS
documentedconfirmed
Devices could play media from a desktop iTunes library over the local wireless network.
Recorded at GM
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · Home Sharing behavior
- [2] iOS SDK 4.3 GM Seed Now Available · iTunes Home Sharing
enhancement · changed
Nitro JavaScript engine in Safari
documentedconfirmed
Apple described the engine as more than doubling JavaScript execution performance compared with the preceding implementation.
Recorded at Public
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · Safari and Nitro
feature · introduced
iTunes Home Sharing
documentedconfirmed
Home Sharing exposed a Mac or PC iTunes library to a supported iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch without first downloading or syncing the selected media.
Recorded at Public
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · iTunes Home Sharing
security · fixed
Font, image, and XML parser safety
documentedconfirmed
Apple documented crafted font, TIFF, and XML inputs that could terminate applications or execute code, depending on the parser and defect.
Recorded at Public
- [1] About the security content of iOS 4.3 · CoreGraphics, ImageIO, and libxml entries
security · fixed
Safari URL-handler and cookie recovery
documentedconfirmed
The changes stopped a crafted page from trapping Safari in repeated URL-handler launches and ensured that clearing cookies in Settings took effect.
Recorded at Public
- [1] About the security content of iOS 4.3 · Safari entries
behavior · changed
Configurable iPad side switch
documentedconfirmed
The setting restored user choice between the two behaviors instead of assigning a single fixed function.
Recorded at Public
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · iPad side-switch option
security · fixed
Wi-Fi frame bounds checking
documentedconfirmed
Apple scoped the attack to another system on the same Wi-Fi network sending crafted frames.
Recorded at Public
- [1] About the security content of iOS 4.3 · Wi-Fi — CVE-2011-0162
security · fixed
Temporary IPv6 source addresses
documentedconfirmed
The networking change reduced a server’s ability to recognize the same device across connections through SLAAC address structure.
Recorded at Public
- [1] About the security content of iOS 4.3 · Networking — IPv6 SLAAC entry
feature · introduced
Personal Hotspot
documentedconfirmed
Apple documented support for up to five combined connections, password protection, a connected-device indicator, and automatic idle shutdown; carrier plan support was required.
Recorded at Public
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · Personal Hotspot and carrier-plan footnote
enhancement · changed
Expanded AirPlay video sources
documentedconfirmed
Apple also added slideshow transitions when presenting photos through Apple TV.
Recorded at Public
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · AirPlay enhancements
security · fixed
WebKit memory and origin protections
documentedconfirmed
The bulletin documents potential code execution from crafted pages as well as narrower cross-site information and resource-integrity failures.
Recorded at Public
- [1] About the security content of iOS 4.3 · WebKit entries
Release changes
Cumulative context
Broader context included for understanding, not claimed as new in this release.
behavior · changed
Configurable iPad side switch
documentedconfirmed
The candidate retained the side-switch preference first observed in Beta 1.
Recorded at GM
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · iPad side-switch choice
compatibility · removed
Two older device families left the test matrix
documentedcorroborated
The GM compatibility list confirms the device boundary already visible in Beta 1.
Recorded at GM
- [1] Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Golden Master to Developers · GM device availability
- [2] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · iOS 4.3 compatibility
developerApi · changed
Applications gained AirPlay video support
documentedconfirmed
Apple’s GM materials confirm the broader AirPlay path first observed in Beta 1; this occurrence records candidate state, not a second introduction.
Recorded at GM
- [1] iOS SDK 4.3 GM Seed Now Available · AirPlay enhancements
- [2] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · Third-party and web AirPlay video
feature · changed
Personal Hotspot
documentedconfirmed
The GM sources confirm the hotspot feature observed at Beta 1 without moving its first appearance to this route.
Recorded at GM
- [1] Apple Introduces iOS 4.3 · Personal Hotspot behavior
- [2] iOS SDK 4.3 GM Seed Now Available · Personal Hotspot
Milestones
Release history
Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.
Developer beta
Beta 1
Full articleEditorially verifiedBeta 1 is an editorially reviewed historical archive page with 8 structured, source-backed milestone records and an explicit account of its surviving evidence boundary.
- Availability
- available
- Sources
- 16 linked
- +7 days
Developer beta
Beta 2
Full articleEditorially verifiedBeta 2 is an editorially reviewed historical archive page with 1 structured, source-backed milestone record and an explicit account of its surviving evidence boundary.
- Availability
- available
- Sources
- 4 linked
- +43 days
Golden master
GM
Full articleEditorially verifiedGM is an editorially reviewed historical archive page with 7 structured, source-backed milestone records and an explicit account of its surviving evidence boundary.
- Availability
- available
- Sources
- 15 linked
- +6 days
Public release
Public
Full articleEditorially verifiediOS 4.3 added the Nitro JavaScript engine to Safari, iTunes Home Sharing, broader AirPlay, Personal Hotspot, an iPad side-switch option, and security repairs spanning media, networking, Safari, WebKit, and Wi-Fi.
- Availability
- available
- Sources
- 15 linked
Historical context
Cycle comparison
Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.
Historical avg for .3 releases
47 days, 5.1 milestones
Based on 15 previous iOS .3 releases
Cycle vs. platform average
56d (avg: 58d)
2 days shorter than the iOS average
Duration ranking
#38 of 92
Middle of the pack iOS beta cycles
Longest gap in this cycle
43 days
Between Beta 2 and GM