iOS 26.3 has been in beta testing for more than a month. The software update is relatively minor, but it does include a couple of new features for iPhones.
iOS 15.3 through iOS 18.3 were all released to the general public in late January over the years, so it is likely that iOS 26.3 will be released towards the end of this month. However, with the Release Candidate version of iOS 26.3 still not available, there is a slight chance that the timeframe might slip to early February.
Below, we recap what is new in the iOS 26.3 betas so far.
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier for iPhone users to switch to an Android device. A new tool allows you to place your iPhone next to an Android device to wirelessly transfer photos, messages, notes, apps, and more. You can also transfer your phone number.
In the iOS 26.3 beta, the new tool can be found in the Settings app, under General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Transfer to Android. It is available worldwide.
Notification Forwarding in EU
In the EU, iOS 26.3 introduces both a Notification Forwarding feature and AirPods-like proximity pairing for third-party accessories like earbuds and smartwatches.
Apple was required to make these changes to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act.
End-to-End Encrypted RCS Preparations
As of the second iOS 26.3 beta, Apple appears to be laying the groundwork for carriers to be able to support end-to-end encryption for RCS messages.
More
Starting with iOS 26.3, there is a dedicated section for Weather wallpapers, with three preset options available to choose from. To access them, tap and hold on the Lock Screen and tap on the plus sign in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
February is Black History Month, and iOS 26.3 will likely include the 2026 version of Apple's annual Black Unity wallpaper. Apple also typically releases a new Black Unity band for the Apple Watch, and a matching Unity Rhythm watch face.
iOS 26.1 introduced a Background Security Improvement feature that is designed to provide security updates for Safari, WebKit, and some other system items between iOS software updates. Apple has been testing the feature with updates such as "iOS 26.3 (a)" and "iOS 26.3 (b)," but they do not actually contain any security fixes.
