Apple Seeds iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 Release Candidates

Apple today seeded the release candidate (RC) versions of upcoming iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the third betas. The RCs represent the final versions of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 that will be provided to the public if no bugs are found in the updates.

iOS 26
Registered developers can download the updates from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting the Software Update option.

iOS 26.3 adds a tool for transitioning from an ‌iPhone‌ to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app.

Apple's transfer process supports moving photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone number, and more.

The update also includes a Notification Forwarding setting for third-party wearables in the European Union, and there are some minor changes to the Weather wallpaper. More information on what's changed can be found in our iOS 26.3 beta feature list.

With the RC now available, Apple will likely release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 next week.

Related Roundups: iOS 26, iPadOS 26
Related Forum: iOS 26

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Top Rated Comments

2 weeks ago

Seems like no big update in it.
I have no problem with that. Just fix the bugs.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mlrollin91 Avatar
2 weeks ago

The general public consensus seems to be that all <device>OS 26.X releases are not good.

I've been holding off on updating any of my devices to 26.

Three questions:
1. I hear horrible things about Liquid Glass. Is there a way to turn it off yet? Does it kill battery life?
2. Any other battery life issues?
3. What other problems are out there that should be fixed before I upgrade?

Thanks!
I would disagree with the statement "the general public consensus...." Those with grievances are usually the ones that speak up. People don't normally go around making appreciation posts of stuff that works as intended. I've been using iOS 26 since 26.0 RC on many different devices. Some new, some several years old. For the most part, I have zero issues. Battery life is fine. Older devices lag a little bit compared to newer devices but the devices are still useable. Would I install it on an old iPhone SE? No. Would I install it on an iPhone 14 or later, yes. No questions asked.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2 weeks ago

The general public consensus seems to be that all <device>OS 26.X releases are not good.

I've been holding off on updating any of my devices to 26.

Three questions:
1. I hear horrible things about Liquid Glass. Is there a way to turn it off yet? Does it kill battery life?
2. Any other battery life issues?
3. What other problems are out there that should be fixed before I upgrade?

Thanks!
It's fine, people are upset because the ui got a refresh after a certain number of years. It's not the apocalypse.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
yukari Avatar
2 weeks ago
Very weird release schedule for 26.3
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Radeon85 Avatar
2 weeks ago
Nice, that means 26.4 beta shortly with improved Siri.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2 weeks ago

Nice, that means 26.4 beta shortly with improved Siri.
I see you’re an optimistic person ?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)