Apple has already issued iOS 26.3, and it is not a radical redesign, but the company has added a feature which many users could never conceive: a tool that will help them transition to Android.
The update comes alongside its unexpected surprise, but it also adds enhanced privacy settings, EU-only wearable settings, new Lock Screen features, and critical security patches, one of which addresses a vulnerability, of which the most severe is actively exploited.
Here’s what matters.
It is now possible to move between iPhone and Android without an application.
Platform switching has become easier.
iOS 26.3 has a new transfer system based on proximity. All you have to do is make your iPhone next to an Android gadget and start transferring data.
You can transfer:
- Photos
- Messages
- Notes
- Apps
- Passwords
- Phone number
- Other supported data
No third-party app required.
Nevertheless, not all of them will come across:
- Health data
- Locked notes
- Paired Bluetooth devices
Google already allows transfer to iPhone hence with this move, it becomes easy to switch in both directions.
New Wallpapers on Lock Screen, Weather.
The lock screen customization of Weather and Astronomy were separated in the Apple.
iOS 26.3 adds three redesigned Weather wallpapers with:
Different clock fonts
Weather widgets
Visual previews
It is the little change but it enhances clarity and personalization.
New Privacy Control: Restrict Carrier Tracking.
There is a novel environment and this limits the accuracy with which the carriers are able to monitor your whereabouts.
When enabled:
- Carriers have a vision of neighborhood-level location only.
- Precision at the street level is blocked.
This is only supported on devices having C1 or C1X modems:
- iPhone 16e
- iPhone Air
Carriers that are supported nowadays are Boost Mobile (US), EE and BT (UK), Telekom (Germany), AIS and True (Thailand).
To enable:
Setting Cellular- Mobile Data- Limit Precise Location.
Restart required.
EU-Only Only third-party wearables.
Apple is still growing the support of third parties in the European Union.
Notification Forwarding
The notifications on iPhone can be sent to an Android smartwatch or any other wearable. Notification can be sent to only one device.
Apple Watch notifications are disabled in case they are enabled.
This functionality can be introduced with iOS 26.4.
Proximity Pairing
The third-party headphones and smart watches have now been able to pair on a one-tap AirPods-style setup.
The two features are only restricted to the EU.
Clue in the Shadow: References to M5 Max and M5 Ultra.
The iOS 26.3 release candidate includes allusions to cancelled M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors.
That is a strong indication that new models of Mac will be released in a few weeks.
Critical Security Patches — Patch Now.
iOS 26.3 includes patches against dozens of vulnerabilities, including one vulnerability that has already been used in the wild.
Notable fixes include:
- Interpretation of code through dyld.
- CoreAudio crash exploit
- Game Center data exposure
- Messages sandbox bypass
- Lock Screen Photos access problem.
According to Apple, it is better to update immediately.
Compatible Devices
iOS 26.3 works on:
iPhone 11 and newer models
What’s Next?
Apple will publish the first iOS 26.4 beta in less than two weeks, and can potentially add more features to comply with EU.
