Apple launched for iPhone customers in all places this week. The replace focuses so much on interoperability between iPhone and Android units, privateness, and extra. Listed below are the entire new options in iOS 26.3.
Up to date February 12, 2026 with launch data.
iOS 26.3 new options
Android switch
The large change in iOS 26.3 is a brand new “Switch to Android” system, which makes it simpler for an iPhone person to change to an Android machine. This new system was developed as a part of a joint collaboration between Apple and Google.
The newest Android beta provides an analogous system for switching from Android to iPhone. The purpose is to enhance interoperability between the 2 platforms.
“Place your Android machine subsequent to this iPhone to get linked and start the switch course of,” Apple explains within the Settings app. As soon as the 2 units are linked, the iPhone person can wirelessly switch their photographs, messages, notes, apps, and extra to their new Android machine.
The system additionally transfers the person’s cellphone quantity to the brand new machine.
Apple notes, nevertheless, that delicate data like Well being knowledge, Bluetooth units, locked notes, and extra isn’t transferred to the Android machine as a part of this course of.
Apple and Google, nevertheless, say that new knowledge varieties might be added as they proceed the testing course of throughout each platforms.
Restrict location knowledge sharing
iOS 26.3 features a new privateness function: “restrict exact location.” In a help doc, Apple says that this allows you to “restrict some data that mobile networks could use to find out your location.”
For instance, your provider may solely be capable to decide the neighborhood the place your machine is positioned, fairly than a selected handle.
To make use of this new function, you’ll want:
- iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, or iPad Professional (M5) Wi-Fi + Mobile
- iOS 26.3 or later
- A supported provider:
- Germany: Telekom
- United Kingdom: EE, BT
- United States: Increase Cell
- Thailand: AIS, True
You’ll find the brand new toggle by opening the Settings app, tapping Mobile, and tapping Mobile Information Choices.
Extra EU options
Along with the brand new Notification Forwarding function, the EU confirmed that iOS 26.3 contains these adjustments:
- Proximity pairing just like AirPods for third-party equipment: Extra information
- New NFC options for utilizing an iPhone to provoke linked units with out the presence of an iPhone: Extra information
- Excessive-bandwidth Wi-Fi connection for peer-to-peer use: Extra information
- That is what’s getting used to energy the brand new Android-iPhone switching options, too.
In an announcement to 9to5Mac, the European Union addressed these new options:
New alternatives are delivered to European customers as results of the DMA implementation work. The Fee welcomes the updates that Apple launched.
Builders can now check interoperability with two new options which are the topic of final March’s specification choice on interoperability of linked units with iOS (similar to smartwatches, headphones or TVs).The options launched by Apple in the beta model of iOS 26.3 are anticipated to be absolutely out there in Europe in the course of 2026.
The DMA creates new alternatives for builders to deliver to market revolutionary services and products in Europe.
That is one other step in the direction of a extra inter-connected digital ecosystem to the good thing about all EU residents.
The betas of iOS 26.3 additionally included a Notification Forwarding function, which allowed third-party units to show notifications forwarded from the iPhone. This selection, nevertheless, isn’t within the closing launched model of iOS 26.3.
Wallpapers
Apple has made some small adjustments to the wallpapers menu on iPhone with iOS 26.3. Beforehand, there was one single class for Climate and Astronomy wallpapers. In iOS 26.3, that class is cut up into two particular person sections.
The precise wallpapers listed below are the identical. The distinction is that Apple has added a number of new pre-built wallpapers within the Climate class. As all the time, the Climate wallpapers show “reside climate circumstances in your present location.” The Astronomy wallpapers present you the present astronomical positioning of the earth or the Photo voltaic System.
Safety fixes
Lastly, iOS 26.3 has fixes for greater than 35 safety vulnerabilities. At the very least a type of vulnerabilities was exploited within the wild, Apple says.
iOS 26.3 wrap up
As you possibly can see, iOS 26.3 is a smaller replace than iOS 26.2. Nonetheless, there are a number of good adjustments for iPhone customers.
Have you ever seen something new in iOS 26.3? If that’s the case, tell us down within the feedback. You’ll be able to replace by going to the Settings app, selecting Normal, then selecting Software program Replace.
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