iOS 26.3: Here are the new features for your iPhone
Source: 9to5Mac
iOS 26.3 – New Features
Apple released iOS 26.3 for iPhone users worldwide this week. The update focuses heavily on interoperability between iPhone and Android devices, privacy enhancements, and more. Below are all the new features in iOS 26.3.
Updated February 12, 2026 – Release information.
Table of Contents
- iOS 26.3 new features
- Android transfer
- Limit precise location
- EU‑specific features
- Wallpapers
- Security fixes
- iOS 26.3 wrap‑up
iOS 26.3 New Features
Transfer to Android
iOS 26.3 introduces a Transfer to Android system that streamlines moving from iPhone to Android. The feature was created through a joint collaboration between Apple and Google.
- How it works – In Settings, Apple prompts: “Place your Android device next to this iPhone to get connected and begin the transfer process.” Once paired, the iPhone can wirelessly move photos, messages, notes, apps, and more to the Android device, including the user’s phone number.
- What isn’t transferred – Health data, Bluetooth pairings, locked notes, and other sensitive information remain on the iPhone. Apple says additional data types will be added as testing continues.
A matching system is also arriving on Android: the latest Android beta adds a Switch from Android to iPhone flow.
Relevant links
- Apple‑Google collaboration announcement
- Android beta with reverse‑transfer support
Limit Precise Location
iOS 26.3 adds a privacy toggle called Limit Precise Location that reduces the granularity of location data shared with cellular carriers.
- Effect – Carriers may only see the general neighborhood instead of an exact address.
Supported devices
- iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPad Pro (M5) – Wi‑Fi + Cellular
- iOS 26.3 or later
Supported carriers
| Region | Carrier(s) |
|---|---|
| Germany | Telekom |
| United Kingdom | EE, BT |
| United States | Boost Mobile |
| Thailand | AIS, True |
- How to enable – Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → toggle Limit Precise Location.
EU‑Specific Features
In addition to the (now‑removed) Notification Forwarding beta, iOS 26.3 includes several features required by the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA).
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Proximity Pairing | AirPods‑style quick pairing for third‑party accessories. |
| NFC Initiation | Use an iPhone to start connections with other devices without the iPhone being present. |
| High‑Bandwidth Peer‑to‑Peer Wi‑Fi | Faster direct Wi‑Fi links for device‑to‑device communication (also powers the Android‑iPhone switch). |
EU statement (excerpt)
“New opportunities are brought to European users as a 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 in the beta version of iOS 26.3 are expected to be fully available in Europe during 2026.”
Wallpapers
The wallpapers section has been reorganized:
- Weather and Astronomy are now separate categories.
- New pre‑built Weather wallpapers have been added; they continue to show live weather for the current location.
- Astronomy wallpapers display the current positions of celestial bodies.
Security Fixes
iOS 26.3 patches more than 35 security vulnerabilities, with at least one of them known to have been exploited in the wild.
- Full list & analysis:
iOS 26.3 Wrap‑Up
As you can see, iOS 26.3 is a smaller update than iOS 26.2, but there are still several nice changes for iPhone users.
Have you noticed anything new in iOS 26.3? If so, let us know in the comments. You can update by going to Settings → General → Software Update.
My Favorite iPhone Accessories
- Meross Smart Garage Door Opener with HomeKit
- Anker Nano Power Bank with built‑in USB‑C cable
- Satechi 3‑in‑1 Foldable Charging Station
- Twelve South Plugbug – 4‑port fast charger with Find My
- Backbone One Mobile Controller for iPhone
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