Apple is releasing a new update, and this is what will happen if you don’t download it

The highlight: support for end-to-end encryption

However, the actual availability of encryption depends on the mobile companies. The update includes system support for RCS encryption, but the service will only be activated if the cellular operator supports the encrypted standard in its network. In other words, even after installing iOS 26.3, some users may not benefit from encryption until the carrier enables it. In Israel, meanwhile, the cellular companies have not yet announced support.

Considering leaving Apple? Think again

Another interesting change concerns precisely those who are considering leaving Apple. In iOS 26.3, a new option called Transfer to Android was added, which appears under Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone. The tool allows you to attach the iPhone to a compatible Android device and wirelessly transfer a variety of data, including photos, messages, contacts and applications, without the need for third-party software or a cable.

Until now, the process of switching to Android included several manual steps, such as turning off iMessage and FaceTime and physically connecting the devices. Now Apple is simplifying the process and allowing a smoother transition, a move that may be interpreted as an acknowledgment that users expect more flexibility between systems.

The update also includes a new option for sending notifications to third-party devices: from now on, you can configure so that notifications from the iPhone are sent to one additional device, for example a smart watch that is not an Apple Watch.. When activating the option, the notifications will not be displayed on the Apple watch. According to the company’s announcement, notifications can be forwarded to one accessory at a time. At this stage the feature is only available in European countries, and Apple has not said if and when it will be extended to other regions such as the United States or Israel, or if it will be possible to support several accessories at the same time in the future.

What has changed in the field of privacy?

In the area of ​​privacy, a new control called Limit Precise Location has been added, which limits the level of precision of the location transmitted to the cellular network. When the option is active, the cellular company receives only general information, such as an approximate residential area, and not an exact address. Emergency services continue to operate as usual. At this time the feature is only available on certain models and in combination with supporting operators.

Beyond that, minor changes were made to the privacy management interface in the Settings app, designed to make it easier to understand app permissions and data sharing. These are relatively subtle changes, but ones that reflect Apple’s continued emphasis on transparency and control over personal information.

Design lovers? Get a renewal

Design enthusiasts also get a certain novelty. The wallpaper gallery has been updated, with a clearer division into categories such as weather and astronomy. Live wallpapers reflecting local weather conditions have been added, along with updates to fonts and the layout of widgets on the lock screen.

Alongside all these, iOS 26.3 includes a series of internal improvements and bug fixes, designed to improve system stability and performance. This is an update that does not change the face of the iPhone, but offers a gradual strengthening of communication security, the ease of switching between systems and the user’s control over his personal information.

This is what will happen if you don’t update

According to the company’s announcement, any device connected to the home that has been updated to the new architecture but does not run iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2 or watchOS 9.2 or higher, will lose access to the updated home until a software update is performed. This also includes family members or guests invited to control the home through their account.

The new architecture of the Home application was already introduced in iOS 16.2 and visually almost has not changed, but behind the scenes it offers improved performance and support for new features, including guest access, activity history and support for robotic vacuum cleaners. Initially, users encountered glitches, and Apple backed off from applying the change across the board, but now the switch is actually enforced.

Another major change concerns the home hub. If in the past it was also possible to use the iPad as a hub for remote control and receiving notifications, now this possibility has been eliminated. To share control at home or receive notifications from the smart home system, it is required to set HomePod or Apple TV as an active home hub. Without one of these devices, it will not be possible to enjoy the full functionality of the system.

How do you install the new iPhone update?

The update process is carried out through the Home app itself, by entering the home settings and selecting software update. At the end of the process, you receive a message that the application and accessories are updated.

For users of HomePod and Apple’s home app, this is an infrastructure upgrade that requires immediate action. Those who do not update the devices and software may find that the control of lights, locks and other smart accessories simply stops working.