Apple has just updated the iPhones operating system iOS 26.3 and this time most of the news is aimed at European users. The main novelty is the function Transfer to Androidwhich will simplify the transition from the iPhone to a competing mobile platform. When both smartphones are connected, you can easily transfer messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone numbers and other data to the other. The transfer takes place directly within the system, so no separate application is required.
Apple has released an update to iOS 26.3
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Google has a similar system in Android, so this is just the completion of a two-way collaboration between the two giants to simplify the transitions between these platforms. On the contrary, the function notification redirectionwhich will be used to send notifications to third-party watches, Apple postponed to iOS 26.4.
The biggest innovation is easier data transfers between iPhones and Androids
The system already includes functions for easy pairing in the vicinity or peer-to-peer transmissions via Wi-Fi, which the EU demanded from Apple. Pairing is done with a single tap on the screen that appears when you bring the device closer to your iPhone or iPad.
Wallpapers, security and tracking restrictions
Another novelty is the new wallpaper section, which has divided Weather and Astronomy into separate sections. The system will now offer three pre-made weather wallpapers and widgets so that you have a concrete idea of how these wallpapers look in both cases they can look like samples.
Two new wallpaper sections in iOS 26.3
The update also brings security patches, an unusual number of fixes (almost 40). Including one bug known to be actively exploited. The update also includes a limitation of location tracking by operators, which, however, only works for the iPhone 16e and iPhone Air models (equipped with Apple’s own modems), and only for selected operators.
Most important security patches:
- Fixed bugs in the Photos, VoiceOver, and Accessibility apps that could allow someone with physical access to the device to view sensitive data or photos directly from the lock screen.
- The update fixes a bug with screenshots that could reveal the contents of already deleted notes under certain circumstances.
- Fixed a bug in UIKit that could allow an attacker with physical access to an iPhone to take and view snapshots of sensitive data while using iPhone Mirroring on a Mac.
- Fixed an issue where user ID could be leaked to Live Caller ID app extensions even when the extensions were turned off.
- Fixes in CoreAudio, CoreMedia, and WebKit components prevent applications or the entire system from crashing when processing specially modified media files or web content.
- Fixed several critical Kernel and Shortcuts bugs that could allow downloaded apps to gain elevated privileges, bypass privacy rules, or access sensitive user data.
- The update fixes a bug in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi that could lead to unexpected system termination or Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks.
- Apple has fixed an arbitrary code execution bug that there are reports that could have been actively used in sophisticated attacks against specific targets.
Apple does not provide a complete list of changes for the update package this time. The update is available for iPhone 11 and later. The iPadOS 26.3 update for iPads was also released at the same time.
The iPhone itself should offer the update, or you can invoke it manually in the menu Settings – General – Software Update.
Sources and additional information: Apple
date:2026-02-12 07:41:00
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