iOS 26.3 is here with a focus on switchers and stalking—check out what’s new

Apple has just released iOS 26.3 to iPhones everywhere, and as expected, it’s a relatively small update. With iOS 26.4 already on the horizon, and rumored to introduce substantial changes, including a Gemini-powered Siri, this release is more about incremental improvements that set the stage for big upcoming changes.

That said, iOS 26.3 still introduces a few notable additions, especially when it comes to device switching, privacy, and new capabilities for users in the EU. Read on as we break down everything new in iOS 26.3.

For the first time, Apple is making it easier to switch from iPhone to Android. While iOS already allows users to quickly transfer data from an Android phone to an iPhone, the opposite wasn’t possible. At least until now.

iOS 26.3 introduces a new tool built directly into the Settings app that helps users transfer their data from an iPhone to an Android phone. This new tool works wirelessly and transfers data such as photos, messages, notes, and apps to a supported Android device.

You can even transfer your eSIM from iPhone to Android if you have an eligible device and carrier.

The new transfer tool can be found in Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Transfer to Android.

Limit Precise Location for cellular networks

Devices equipped with an Apple-made C1 and C1X modem (iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and M5 iPad Pro with 5G) now have an extra layer of location privacy with iOS 26.3.

Users will find a new toggle on supported hardware that limits how accurately cellular networks can determine their location. Apps and websites will still have access to an approximate location, but it will become much more difficult to know exactly where the device is.

According to Apple, enabling this option does not affect location accuracy for emergency services during emergency calls.

At launch, the feature is only available with select carriers, so availability may vary depending on region and network. The only devices so far with an Apple-made 5G modem are the iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and the Cellular version of the M5 iPad Pro.

New Weather wallpaper sections

iOS 26.3 adds a small but welcome visual tweak for personalization fans.

The Weather wallpapers now have their own dedicated section, featuring three preset options. While this is a minor change, it makes weather-based wallpapers easier to discover and manage within the system.

Encrypted RCS messages

It’s been a while since Apple added RCS support to the iPhone, allowing users to communicate with Android phone owners as if they were using iMessage. However, there’s still one important feature missing from Apple’s implementation, which is end-to-end encryption for RCS messages.

Based on the iOS 26.3 code, the system is now ready to support encrypted RCS messages. However, it’s still up to carriers to support the feature on their end, and so far, none of them have. That may change soon now that the update is available to the public.

Notification forwarding for accessories

In the European Union, iOS 26.3 introduces a new API that allows third-party accessories to show notifications from your iPhone.

This capability works similarly to how notifications are mirrored on the Apple Watch and will enable features on third-party smartwatches, smartbands, and even accessories like Meta’s smart glasses.

Unfortunately, this feature is only available to iPhone users in the EU. There are no details on whether Apple will expand this option to other regions in the future.

Foundry

AirPods-style pairing for third-party accessories

Another EU-only change makes pairing non-Apple accessories faster and more intuitive.

With iOS 26.3, third-party accessories can now support AirPods-like quick pairing. In other words, users can simply bring the accessory near an iPhone or iPad to begin the pairing process. This removes one of Apple’s long-standing advantages for its own hardware, at least within the European Union.

For users in the rest of the world, this new feature remains unavailable.

Bug fixes and security patches

As always, new versions of iOS come with multiple bug fixes, stability improvements, and security patches. That’s why it’s always important to keep your devices updated with the latest version os soon as it arrives.

What to expect from iOS 26.4

With iOS 26.3 now available to the public, Apple will turn its attention to iOS 26.4, which has been highly anticipated for over a year. According to multiple sources, including an exclusive report from Macworld, the company has been planning some major new features for the next iOS update.

The most anticipated change is the new version of Siri powered by Gemini. This comes almost two years after Apple announced that Siri would be powered by Apple Intelligence and would gain the ability to not only answer more questions, but also interact with apps. The new Siri was delayed in early 2025, and we’ve been waiting for its release since then.

In addition, Apple has also been working on a redesigned Health app, credit card autofill in third-party apps, folders in Freeform, and improvements to Find My when it comes to searching for AirPods and AirTags. These features are also expected to show up in iOS 26.4, likely the last major feature-packed release before iOS 27 debuts.

It’s unclear when iOS 26.4 will be released to the public, but we expect the first beta to arrive later this month.

Update your iPhone and iPad now

Again, iOS 26.3 isn’t a major update, but it does bring some nice improvements, especially if you live in the EU. You can update your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > General > Software Update.