This week, Apple released the second beta of iOS 18.3. It’s not a very exciting update, as it doesn’t add any new features. However, the update did reveal details about a potential new app from Apple called Invites. The first mentions of this yet-to-be-released Apple Invites app were found in one of the betas of iOS 18.2. The code was later removed from the final version but returned in iOS 18.3 beta 2. From analyzing the code, it appears that the app is designed to help users organize meetings and personal events, which can already be done with the Calendar app, but Invites will likely offer additional features.
The code suggests that the Invites app will integrate with iCloud, and it will even have a web version on iCloud.com. It will also integrate with a new iOS 18 framework called GroupKit, which manages how apps work with groups of people. This daemon has been around since the first release of iOS 18.0 and hasn’t been used by any Apple app yet. Basically, the new app will show a list of people invited to an event and indicate who has already confirmed attendance. It’s unclear whether Invites will be a standalone app or if Apple plans to embed it in other parts of the system (like an iMessage mini-app, for example). Presumably, it will have a more interesting interface than the current Calendar app offers for inviting events.
Apple didn’t say anything about this app at WWDC 2024 when iOS 18 was announced, so it’s possible the company is simply experimenting with the idea and may eventually scrap it or hold it for a future version of iOS. Still, the reappearance of Invites-related code in iOS 18.3 beta 2 indicates that the app remains under consideration, even if it hasn’t been officially confirmed or showcased, notes NIX Solutions.
Looking Ahead to Potential Launch
At this point, Apple’s plans for Invites are not entirely clear. The repeated additions and removals of the code in different beta versions hint at ongoing development and testing behind the scenes. Whether it ends up becoming a new stock app in iOS 18 or gets rolled into an iMessage mini-app, its group-focused features could prove useful for managing social events and business meetings alike. While we wait for more news, we’ll keep you updated on any developments Apple makes public or reveals in subsequent betas. With the groundwork seemingly in place through iCloud and GroupKit, it wouldn’t be surprising if Apple formalizes the Invites app in an upcoming announcement—or quietly removes it if plans change.
No major mistakes appear to be present, and the details remain accurate to the best of current knowledge. For now, users can only speculate about when (or if) Apple might officially unveil the Invites app.