- Apple’s iOS 26.3 update makes it easier to switch to Android
- This is 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 problems with iOS 26 – from Liquid Glass design fiascos to delayed Siri features – you may be wondering if it’s time to move to Google’s operating system. If so, there’s good news, because Apple’s iOS 26.3 update just made it easier to ditch iOS for good.
Specifically, iOS 26.3 added a new option to the Settings app called Transfer to Android. You will find it by going to Settings > General > Transfer or reset iPhone > Transfer to Android. All you have to do is place your iPhone next to your Android device, connect the two products using a QR code, then let the transfer begin.
This allows for seamless transfer of your files, apps, photos, messages, and more to your new Android phone (although health data, Bluetooth-paired products, and protected items won’t make the jump).
In the past, moving from one system to another could lead to potential setbacks, and you may have had to manually back up your files to ensure the transfer was successful. Now Apple handles everything for you, so you just press a button and let it start.
Apple isn’t the only company that has made this procedure much easier, as Google has also made switching to iOS relatively simple. Whichever direction you want to move, there should be a lot less hassle now.
Much more than just changing Android
Why is this happening now? Simply put, the European Union (EU) is going after and pressuring big companies like Apple and Google to make it easier for users to switch between products. The EU has shown it is not afraid to impose huge sanctions on big tech companies. Apple has therefore decided to comply before new fines are imposed.
iOS 26.3 isn’t just about switching to Android. 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 patches and security fixes that can make your device more resistant to vulnerabilities.
The iOS 26.3 update underwent 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 it.
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