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

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

That said, iOS 26.3 still introduces a few notable additions, including device switching, privacy, and new features for EU users. Read on as we break down everything new in iOS 26.3.

For the first time, Apple makes switching easier Since iPhone to Android. While iOS already allows users to quickly transfer data from an Android phone to an iPhone, the reverse was not possible. At least until now.

iOS 26.3 introduces a new tool directly integrated 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.

Foundry

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

Apple-made C1 and C1X modem-equipped devices (iPhone 16e, iPhone Air, and iPad Pro M5 with 5G) now have an additional 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 the location accuracy of emergency services during emergency calls.

Apple

At launch, the feature is only available with select carriers, so availability may vary by 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 iPad Pro M5.

New Weather wallpaper sections

iOS 26.3 adds a small but welcome visual change for fans of customization.

Weather wallpapers now have their own dedicated section, offering three preset options. While this is a minor change, it makes weather-based wallpapers easier to discover and manage in 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, Apple’s implementation is still missing an important feature, namely end-to-end encryption of RCS messages.

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

Notification transmission for accessories

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

This feature works similar to how notifications are reflected on the Apple Watch and will enable features on smartwatches, smart bracelets and even accessories such as 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-like 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 closer to 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 several bug fixes, stability improvements, and security patches. That’s why it’s always important to keep your devices updated to the latest OS version as soon as it arrives.

What to expect from iOS 26.4

With iOS 26.3 now available to the public, Apple will turn to iOS 26.4, which has been eagerly awaited for over a year. According to multiple sources, including an exclusive report from Macworld, the company is planning 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 have the ability to not only answer more questions but also interact with apps. The new Siri was delayed until early 2025 and we’ve been waiting for its release since then.

Additionally, 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 appear in iOS 26.4, likely the last major feature-rich release before iOS 27 launches.

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 brings some nice improvements, especially if you live in the EU. You can update your iPhone or iPad by going to Settings > General > Software update.