Keep a close eye on all your Apple devices this month, because Apple is releasing no fewer than six major updates! This is the expected release date.
Apple is preparing updates
Apple is preparing a series of major software updates! Almost all Apple devices will receive a new software version this month. This means that the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac(Book), Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro can be updated indoors. Apple rarely announces the release date of an update in advance, but does stick to the same schedule every year. Similar software versions previously appeared on this date:
- 2025: Monday January 27;
- 2024: Monday January 22;
- 2023: Monday January 23;
- 2022: Wednesday January 26.
Similar software updates have been released in late January in recent years. It is therefore expected that Apple will roll out the new software versions around the same period in 2026. Major updates usually appear on a Monday, so move on Monday January 26, 2026 already in your agenda. That evening at 7 p.m. (Dutch time), Apple will probably release no fewer than six new software versions for almost all devices.
These software versions appear
New software versions will be available at the end of January for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac(Book), Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro. Apple will release iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, macOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3 and visionOS 26.3 in the last week of January. These are larger interim updates that bring improvements and some new features to your Apple devices. In addition, Apple fixes previous software errors.
With iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, Apple brings several new features to the iPhone and iPad. This makes it easier for users to switch from an Android device to an iPhone, so that all photos, messages and applications can be transferred smoothly. Both the iPhone and iPad receive new wallpapers in the theme of the Weather app, which show current weather information on the Home and Access screens of the devices.
More about the Apple updates
Another important improvement in iOS 26.3 is the support for sending notifications to third-party smartwatches. Now only the Apple Watch has the ability to receive notifications from your iPhone. From iOS 26.3, this function is no longer exclusive to the Apple Watch, meaning that Samsung smart watches, for example, also work with your iPhone’s notifications.
No major changes are expected for watchOS 26.3, macOS 26.3 and tvOS 26.3. That doesn’t make Apple’s updates any less important, because the company also uses new software versions to improve the security of your device. Therefore, make sure you install the updates quickly as soon as they become available. Don’t want to miss any of Apple’s updates? Then sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter so you always stay informed!
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