Apple released for iPhone users everywhere this week. The update focuses a lot on interoperability between iPhone and Android devices, privacy, and more. Here are all of the new features in iOS 26.3.
Updated February 12, 2026 with release information.
iOS 26.3 new features
Android transfer
The big change in iOS 26.3 is a new “Transfer to Android” system, which makes it easier for an iPhone user to switch to an Android device. This new system was developed as part of a joint collaboration between Apple and Google.
The latest Android beta adds a similar system for switching from Android to iPhone. The goal is to improve interoperability between the two platforms.
“Place your Android device next to this iPhone to get connected and begin the transfer process,” Apple explains in the Settings app. Once the two devices are connected, the iPhone user can wirelessly transfer their photos, messages, notes, apps, and more to their new Android device.
The system also transfers the user’s phone number to the new device.
Apple notes, however, that sensitive information like Health data, Bluetooth devices, locked notes, and more is not transferred to the Android device as part of this process.
Apple and Google, however, say that new data types will be added as they continue the testing process across both platforms.
Limit location data sharing
iOS 26.3 includes a new privacy feature: “limit precise location.” In a support document, Apple says that this lets you “limit some information that cellular networks may use to determine your location.”
For example, your carrier might only be able to determine the neighborhood where your device is located, rather than a specific address.
To use this new feature, you’ll need:
- iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, or iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular
- iOS 26.3 or later
- A supported carrier:
- Germany: Telekom
- United Kingdom: EE, BT
- United States: Boost Mobile
- Thailand: AIS, True
You can find the new toggle by opening the Settings app, tapping Cellular, and tapping Cellular Data Options.
More EU features
In addition to the new Notification Forwarding feature, the EU confirmed that iOS 26.3 includes these changes:
- Proximity pairing similar to AirPods for third-party accessories: More info
- New NFC features for using an iPhone to initiate connected devices without the presence of an iPhone: More info
- High-bandwidth Wi-Fi connection for peer-to-peer use: More info
- This is what’s being used to power the new Android-iPhone switching features, too.
In a statement to 9to5Mac, the European Union addressed these new features:
New opportunities are brought to European users as result of the DMA implementation work. The Commission welcomes the updates that Apple introduced.
Developers can now test interoperability with two new features that are the subject of last March’s specification decision on interoperability of connected devices with iOS (such as smartwatches, headphones or TVs).The features released by Apple in the beta version of iOS 26.3 are expected to be fully available in Europe in the course of 2026.
The DMA creates new opportunities for developers to bring to market innovative products and services in Europe.
This is another step towards a more inter-connected digital ecosystem to the benefit of all EU citizens.
The betas of iOS 26.3 also included a Notification Forwarding feature, which allowed third-party devices to display notifications forwarded from the iPhone. This option, however, is not in the final released version of iOS 26.3.
Wallpapers
Apple has made some small changes to the wallpapers menu on iPhone with iOS 26.3. Previously, there was one single category for Weather and Astronomy wallpapers. In iOS 26.3, that category is split into two individual sections.
The actual wallpapers here are the same. The difference is that Apple has added a few new pre-built wallpapers in the Weather category. As always, the Weather wallpapers display “live weather conditions for your current location.” The Astronomy wallpapers show you the current astronomical positioning of the earth or the Solar System.
Security fixes
Finally, iOS 26.3 has fixes for more than 35 security vulnerabilities. At least one of those vulnerabilities was exploited in the wild, Apple says.
iOS 26.3 wrap up
As you can see, iOS 26.3 is a smaller update than iOS 26.2. Still, there are several nice changes for iPhone users.
Have you noticed anything new in iOS 26.3? If so, let us know down in the comments. You can update by going to the Settings app, choosing General, then choosing Software Update.
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