The next major iPhone update, IOS 26.3, is on the way as evidenced by several betas, but it seems to be later than we thought. Here’s the latest on when to expect it.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Getty Images
By Monday January 26 many expected it was going to land. But the arrival of a smaller update, iOS 26.2.1, which was previously spotted but then widely thought to be gone, put the cat among the pigeons.
Why iOS 26.3 Won’t Arrive in January
What Apple knew, but no one else, was that the second-generation AirTag was waiting in the wings and needed new iPhone and Apple Watch software to make the most of it. Unusually, the minor update had zero security issues and was all about AirTag and a few bug fixes. Apple tries to avoid too many updates in close proximity, so iOS 26.3 was quietly pushed out, it seems.
Apple regularly releases iOS x.3 in late January, so Monday, January 26 was a favorite for many analysts, myself included. But then iOS 26.2.1 appeared — full details of that release can be found here.
iOS 26.3 Beta leads to a new timeline
On the same day, Apple released the third developer beta of iOS 26.3, followed by the public beta the next day. Which suggests a new program.
If there is no break from delivery, the next step is Release Candidate, the final beta before general release. Minor updates like iOS 26.2.1 don’t have a release candidate, but larger updates do.
That could come any time now, though most likely Monday, February 2nd.
iOS 26.3 Release Date: The Most Likely Timeline
Assuming the Release Candidate lands in early February, the general release will come soon after, possibly Monday, February 9th, but possibly a little before that. That’s because Apple is also gearing up for a big release, iOS 26.4, when the new Siri with Apple Intelligence is due, and it won’t want to delay it if it can help it.
So while a January release is now definitely off the cards, early February is in the cards. I think Wednesday 4th February is the earliest possible date.
