We're all waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to drop, so it's likely we're still a couple of weeks away from the first iOS 26.4 beta. If everything goes as planned, iOS 26.4 should be available to everyone in March or April.

I understand how eager you are to get your hands on the latest updates, so let's dive into what we know is coming in these updates!

What's New in iOS 26.3?

Switching from iPhone to Android is getting a whole lot easier with iOS 26.3. Imagine being able to simply place your iPhone next to your new Android phone and wirelessly transfer everything – photos, messages, notes, apps, even your phone number! This new tool, located in Settings under General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Transfer to Android, is a real game-changer for those considering switching teams.

If you're in the EU, iOS 26.3 includes some changes related to the EU's Digital Markets Act. You will find a Notification Forwarding feature and AirPods-like proximity pairing for third-party gadgets like smartwatches and earbuds.

It seems Apple is also setting the stage for carriers to support end-to-end encryption for RCS messages in iOS 26.3, which is awesome for secure communication. Plus, for those who like to personalize their iPhones, there is now a dedicated section for Weather wallpapers, offering a few preset options to choose from. You can access it by tapping and holding the Lock Screen and then tapping the plus sign.

Privacy-minded users will appreciate the new "Limit Precise Location" setting, which gives you more control over the location data shared with mobile networks. There's also a "Background Security Improvement" feature for Safari, WebKit, and other system components, ensuring you're always running the latest security patches.

What to Expect in iOS 26.4?

iOS 26.4 is shaping up to be a pretty significant release, and it's expected to have a more personalized version of Siri. This upgrade will be powered by Google Gemini and will allow Siri to better understand your personal context, offer on-screen awareness, and provide deeper per-app controls. I recall the demo from WWDC 2024 where Siri could access information from Mail and Messages to answer questions about flight and lunch plans. It was a glimpse into a much smarter assistant.

Looking further ahead, there are whispers of a full-blown Siri chatbot coming in iOS 27, which would let you have ChatGPT-like conversations with Siri.

Emoji enthusiasts will be happy to know that iOS 26.4 is expected to bring some new emoji, thanks to the Unicode Consortium.