Apple rolls out iOS 26.3 worldwide for iPhone users, emphasizing smoother interoperability with Android devices, stronger privacy controls, and essential security enhancements.
Seamless Transfer to Android Devices
The standout addition in iOS 26.3 is the new “Transfer to Android” system, designed to simplify switching from iPhone to Android. Developed through collaboration between Apple and Google, this feature mirrors a comparable tool in the latest Android beta for transfers in the opposite direction.
“Place your Android device next to this iPhone to get connected and begin the transfer process,” Apple notes in the Settings app. Users connect the devices wirelessly to move photos, messages, notes, apps, and even their phone number to the new Android phone. Sensitive data, including Health information, Bluetooth pairings, and locked notes, remains excluded from the transfer. Apple and Google plan to incorporate additional data types as testing progresses across platforms.
Enhanced Privacy with Location Limiting
iOS 26.3 introduces a privacy option called “Limit Precise Location,” which restricts the location data cellular networks can access. Carriers may pinpoint only a general neighborhood rather than an exact address.
Activate this toggle via Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. Availability depends on carrier support.
Wallpaper Menu Refinements
Apple refines the wallpapers interface by separating Weather and Astronomy categories, previously combined. New pre-built Weather wallpapers join the collection, which dynamically display live conditions for the user’s location. Astronomy wallpapers continue to illustrate current Earth or Solar System positions.
Robust Security Patches
The update addresses over 35 security vulnerabilities, with at least one actively exploited in real-world attacks, according to Apple.
Note that features like Notification Forwarding, present in betas for relaying iPhone alerts to third-party devices, do not appear in the final release.
Install iOS 26.3 through Settings > General > Software Update.
