iOS 26.3 Overview: New Android Transfer Tools, EU Compliance, and Security Updates
Introduction With the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate (RC) now available to testers, the official public release is just around the corner. Looking ahead, the first beta for iOS 26.4 is expected to arrive in approximately one week. Following its beta cycle, iOS 26.4 will likely launch to the general public in March or April.
Here is a closer look at the key features and changes arriving with iOS 26.3.
Streamlined iPhone to Android Migration
iOS 26.3 introduces a native tool designed to simplify the transition for users switching from an iPhone to an Android device. This new feature enables users to wirelessly transfer photos, messages, notes, apps, and even their phone number simply by placing their iPhone next to an Android device.
This tool is available globally and can be accessed in the Settings app under General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Transfer to Android.
EU-Specific Updates: Notification Forwarding
To comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is introducing significant changes to accessory interoperability in the region. iOS 26.3 includes a new Notification Forwarding feature and enables proximity pairing for third-party accessories, such as smartwatches and earbuds, mirroring the seamless connection experience previously reserved for AirPods.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
RCS Encryption Preparations Apple continues to improve messaging security. As of the second iOS 26.3 beta, the company appears to be laying the technical groundwork for carriers to support End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages.
Limit Precise Location A new privacy setting titled "Limit Precise Location" allows users to reduce the granularity of location data shared with mobile networks. This feature is designed to enhance user privacy by preventing carriers from pinpointing a device’s exact coordinates.
Rapid Security Response Testing iOS 26.1 introduced a "Background Security Improvement" feature intended to deliver standalone security fixes for Safari, WebKit, and system components between major software updates. In the iOS 26.3 cycle, Apple has been actively testing this delivery mechanism with updates labeled "iOS 26.3 (a)" and "iOS 26.3 (b)." Note that these specific test files do not contain active security patches.
Visual Updates: Weather Wallpapers
Customization gets a boost in this update with a dedicated section for Weather wallpapers. Users can now choose from three distinct preset options. To access these new designs, simply tap and hold the Lock Screen, then select the "+" icon in the bottom-right corner.
