iOS 26.3 is coming soon: Here’s when Apple’s next iPhone update may land

Apple’s next iPhone software update is shaping up to arrive sooner rather than later, with iOS 26.3 now deep into beta testing — and expectations building for a public rollout in the final days of January or early February.

As per Forbes, iOS 26.3 is a 'critical' update — as Apple continues its steady mid-cycle release cadence after iOS 26’s debut.

Apple seeded the second developer beta of iOS 26.3 on January 12, confirming the update is moving through its normal late-stage testing cycle.

A day later, Apple also released iOS 26.3 public beta 2, widening access to testers and giving a clearer look at what’s coming.

Historically, Apple’s '.3' releases tend to land near the end of January or start of February, a timing pattern Macworld also pointed to while tracking the current beta phase.

While iOS 26.3 isn’t currently positioned as a major visual overhaul, early coverage suggests it will include a mix of feature refinements, platform compliance changes, and behind-the-scenes groundwork for larger moves later in the year.

MacRumors, tracking the beta builds, has reported that iOS 26.3 includes a small set of new features so far, alongside under-the-hood changes.

One of the most closely watched items is RCS messaging security. Coverage by Times of India, citing beta findings, says iOS 26.3 includes evidence pointing toward end-to-end encryption support for RCS messaging — a step that would tighten privacy for iPhone-to-Android chats as Apple continues expanding cross-platform messaging support.

Meanwhile, EU-related changes may also be part of the update’s direction. Macworld highlighted that iOS 26.3 appears to lay groundwork for EU-mandated capabilities, including changes around device switching and notification handling across third-party hardware.

Even when a release looks incremental on the surface, Apple’s mid-cycle iOS updates often carry a more important payload: security fixes.

Apple’s security release process typically publishes detailed technical notes once patches are available, and the company routinely urges users to install updates promptly to protect against vulnerabilities.

The push for iOS 26.3 also comes after an iOS 26 cycle that’s been closely watched by users and reviewers, with some debates around usability changes and adoption pace. Tom’s Guide recently described iOS 26 as “divisive” months after launch, citing a mix of interface complaints and performance concerns among slower upgraders.

For Apple, the next few weeks will be familiar territory: beta testing tightens, security work finalises, and then iOS 26.3 becomes the next default destination for millions of iPhones worldwide.