- Apple’s iOS 26.3 update makes it easier to switch to Android
- It’s the result of intense pressure from the EU
- The update also contains privacy and security fixes
The last thing Apple wants you to do is switch from iOS to Android, but with all the trouble that’s come with iOS 26 – from Liquid Glass design fiascos to delayed Siri features – you might be wondering if it’s time to switch to Google’s operating system. If you are, there’s some good news, as Apple’s iOS 26.3 update has just made it easier to ditch iOS for good.
Specifically, iOS 26.3 has added a new option to the Settings app titled Transfer to Android. You’ll find it by going to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Transfer to Android. All you have to do then is place your iPhone next to your Android device, connect the two products using a QR code, then allow the transfer to begin.
This sets up a seamless transfer of your files, apps, photos, messages and more to your new Android phone (although health data, products paired over Bluetooth and protected items will not make the jump).
In the past, flipping from one system to another could come with potential setbacks, and you might have needed to manually back up your files to ensure the transfer was successful. Now, Apple handles the whole thing for you, so all you need to do is tap a button and let it get started.
Apple isn’t the only company that has made this procedure a whole lot easier, as Google has also made switching to iOS relatively pain-free too. Whichever way you want to move, there should be a whole lot less hassle now.
More than just Android switching
Why is this happening now? Simply put, the European Union (EU) is breathing down the necks of large firms like Apple and Google and exerting pressure on them to make it easier for users to flip between their products. The EU has shown it is not afraid to levy huge penalties against Big Tech companies, so Apple has decided to get in line before further fines are meted out.
There’s more to iOS 26.3 than just Android switching too. If your iPhone has a C1 or C1X modem, iOS 26.3 brings a new way to hide your location data from carriers. It also contains a wide range of security patches and fixes that can make your device more resistant to vulnerabilities.
The iOS 26.3 update went through beta testing over the holiday period and is now available to the general public. If you want to install it, you’ll need to open the Settings app and go to General > Software Update, wait for it to find the iOS 26.3 update, then tap to install.
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