New Update Apple Releases 26.3 Updates for All Its Platforms

Gandalf_The_Grey

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Apple has just released the 26.3 versions of all of its software platforms, and that includes iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. As often, iOS is getting the biggest changes, as there are no new features for Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro users.

iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 are getting a new feature designed to limit precision location from cellular networks, but it only works for iPhones and iPads with Apple’s C1 and C1X modems. At the moment, that includes just the iPhone 16E, the iPhone Air, and the M5 iPad Pro released last year.

“With this setting turned on, some information made available to cellular networks is limited. As a result, they might be able to determine only a less precise location — for example, the neighborhood where your device is located, rather than a more precise location such as a street address,” Apple explained in a support document. Turning the feature on also doesn’t impact signal quality, as well as location data shared with friends and family via the Find My app, or emergency responders during an emergency call.

To turn Limit Precise Location on or off, users with eligible iPhones and iPads will need to go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular data options, and then scroll down to Limit Precise Location. As of today, the feature only supports six carriers around the world, including EE and BT in the UK, Telekom in Germany, Boost Mobile in the US, and AIS and True in Thailand.

With iOS 26.3, Apple is also adding a new tool for transferring data from an iPhone to an Android phone without the need to download any app. Google has also been testing a similar feature on Android for transferring data to an iPhone.

Lastly, Apple also released today iOS 18.7.5, iPadOS 18.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.8.4. These updates only include security fixes.
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www.thurrott.com

Apple Releases 26.3 Updates for All Its Platforms

iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 are getting a new feature designed to limit information that cellular networks may use to determine your location, but it doesn't work on all devices and networks.
www.thurrott.com www.thurrott.com
 
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Gandalf_The_Grey said:
www.thurrott.com

Apple Releases 26.3 Updates for All Its Platforms

iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 are getting a new feature designed to limit information that cellular networks may use to determine your location, but it doesn't work on all devices and networks.
www.thurrott.com www.thurrott.com
Click to expand...
What’s in that quote is broadly consistent with Apple’s own documentation, but a couple of details are worth tightening up from a security/privacy perspective.

“Limit Precise Location” (carrier-level location privacy)
Apple has a dedicated support document for this feature (published January 26, 2026), and it matches the description you quoted: it limits some information made available to cellular networks so they may only be able to determine a less precise location (example given: “neighborhood” instead of “street address”). It also states this does not affect:
  • Emergency location during an emergency call
  • App location permissions (Location Services)
  • Find My location sharing
It’s also very limited in availability right now:
  • Requires iOS/iPadOS 26.3 or later
  • Requires specific hardware: iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, or iPad Pro (M5) Wi‑Fi + Cellular
  • Requires a supported carrier (listed as Telekom DE, EE/BT UK, Boost Mobile US, AIS/True TH)

Security-only updates for older OS branches (released Feb 11, 2026)
The “older track” updates mentioned (iOS/iPadOS 18.7.5, macOS Sequoia 15.7.4, macOS Sonoma 14.8.4) are real and Apple published security content for them dated February 11, 2026. These include multiple CVE fixes (including WebKit and kernel/network-related items), so from a security standpoint they’re not “optional” if you’re on those versions.

Important privacy clarification
Even with “Limit Precise Location” enabled, it’s best not to assume it makes cellular location tracking “go away.” The feature reduces precision of certain carrier-available location inputs, but cellular networks can still infer location to some extent from normal network operation (tower connectivity, etc.). The main practical win is reducing precision, not eliminating carrier-side location knowledge.

Takeaway
If your device/carrier supports it, enabling “Limit Precise Location” is a sensible privacy hardening step, and everyone should apply the Feb 11, 2026 security updates appropriate to their device/OS branch.

Sources
 

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