The next major iPhone update, IOS 26.3, is on its way, as evidenced by multiple beta releases, but it appears to be later than previously thought. Here’s the latest on when to expect it.

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Until Monday, Jan. 26, many expected that it was about to land. But the arrival of a smaller update, iOS 26.2.1, which had been spotted previously but then widely thought to have vanished, put the cat among the pigeons.

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Why iOS 26.3 Won’t Arrive In January

What Apple knew, but nobody else did, 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 the AirTag and a couple of bug fixes. Apple tries to avoid too many updates close together, so iOS 26.3 was quietly pushed back, it seems.

Apple routinely releases the x.3 version of iOS in late January, so Monday, Jan. 26 had been favorite for many analysts — myself included. But that’s when iOS 26.2.1 appeared instead — you can find full details of that release here.

iOS 26.3 Betas Point To A New Schedule

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 schedule.

Unless there’s a break from tradition, the next step is a Release Candidate, the final beta before general release. Minor updates like iOS 26.2.1 don’t have a release candidate, but bigger updates do.

That could come any minute now, though most likely on Monday, Feb. 2.

iOS 26.3 Release Date: The Most Likely Schedule

Assuming the Release Candidate lands in early February, the general release should hit soon after, possibly Monday, Feb. 9, but probably a little before that. That’s because Apple is also getting ready for a big release, iOS 26.4, when the new Siri with Apple Intelligence is expected, and it won’t want to delay that if it can help it.

So, while a January release is now definitely off the cards, early February is in the frame. I think Wednesday, Feb. 4 is the earliest likely date.

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