- Apple’s iOS 26.3 update makes switching to Android easier
- It is the result of intense pressure from the EU
- The update also includes privacy and security fixes
The last thing Apple wants you to do is switch from iOS to Android, but with all the issues that 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 just made it easier to ditch iOS for good.
Specifically, iOS 26.3 added a new option to the Settings app titled Transfer to Android. You 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, and then let the transfer begin.
This creates a seamless transfer of your files, apps, photos, messages, and more to your new Android phone (although health data, products paired via Bluetooth, and protected items won’t make the jump).
In the past, switching from one system to another could come with potential setbacks, and you might have had to manually back up your files to ensure the transfer was successful. Now Apple handles it all for you, so all you have to do is press a button and let it go.
Apple is not the only company that has made this procedure much easier, as Google has also made the switch to iOS relatively painless. Whichever way you want to move, there should be a 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 big companies like Apple and Google, putting pressure on them to make it easier for users to browse their products. The EU has shown that it is not afraid to impose large fines against Big Tech companies, so Apple has decided to fall in line before further fines are meted out.
There’s also more to iOS 26.3 than just 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 includes a wide range of security patches and fixes that can make your device more resilient to vulnerabilities.
The iOS 26.3 update underwent beta testing over the holiday period and is now available to the public. To install it, 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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