Apple has today released iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public, bringing an improved experience when switching to Android, notification support for third-party smartwatches in the European Union, and more.
Resolved VoiceOver Bugs
Our experience is that the following accessibility bug has been resolved in iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3:
New VoiceOver Bugs
We are currently aware of one new VoiceOver bug in these releases:
An Issue with Dictation
While not a VoiceOver/braille/low-vision issue specifically, we did want to take this opportunity to share that multiple members of our team have observed a significant degradation in the reliability of dictation in iOS 26.3. A Feedback report has been filed. It is currently unclear to us whether this issue extends to Siri and whether it is something Apple can resolve server-side; we recommend that if you rely on Dictation, you do not install this update until the issue is resolved.
If you notice any further changes, improvements, or regressions in your use of these releases, please post a comment below with your findings.
iOS 26.3 Release Notes
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
Some features may not be available for all regions. For more information, please visit: https://www.apple.com/os/ios
Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: https://support.apple.com/125039
How to Update
iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update), via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.
Before updating, we strongly recommend making a full and complete backup of your device (either locally or in iCloud, depending on personal preference). This will ensure that, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong during the update process, you will have a current backup on hand in case a device restore becomes necessary. Also, if using OTA update, we recommend plugging your device into a power source for the duration of the download/installation process, so as to prevent the unlikely event of your battery going dead during the update.
Comments
What specifically was the bugs with dictation such as apps
I’m somebody who definitely relies on dictation. So we’re specifically did you see the bugs in dictation? Because it was only in certain apps or was it the entirety of the operating system? Cause if there’s a lot of issues with dictation, I will definitely have to wait on this update. I also use Siri for a lot of things too. I know you guys said that you weren’t sure if this affect or not. Thanks.
Dictation
Hi Singer Girl,
In my experience, the level of accuracy of Dictation has decreased significantly with iOS 26.3. I mainly use Dictation in the Messages and ChatGPT apps, which is where I encountered the issue in. I do not think it is something app-specific. My hope is that this is something Apple can address on their servers but I would definitely recommend anyone who relies on Dictation to stay away from iOS 26.3 for the time being.
caught same bug with IOS
I just caught the same bug as well just capitalize all the letters
TV App fix, I hope.
After updating to iOS 26, in the TV App, when you go to the Continue Watching Section, voiceover doesn't say the name of the show or movie. It just says, for example, "S2 E8" and doesn't say the name of the show. Hopefully this is fixed.
O.e.
pronunciation glitch again just write watch the o. e. the o being capitalized and the write ess
Re: TV App fix, I hope
This is fixed for me.
Getting it
Lasw week did the RC, Apple release update to that. Will see if VO and notification is fix. Not. Long live cats.
Switching to Android?
In the announcement about iOS 26.3 on this page, there's mention of switching to Android. At first, I thought I wasn't hearing things correctly. Was that an error?
Dictation
I primarily use dictation for text messages and other similar things. I've already dictated several messages since updating, and so far as I could tell, everything worked as expected. For those who are heavily reliant on dictation, definitely follow the advice given by Applevis, but perhaps the dictation thing is only going on with select devices? I'll try to pay closer attention if I need to do any additional dictation over the next few days.
VO and notifications
Sad the bug continues. Maybe iOS 26.4? Apple is not interested in fixing it. Nuts. Long live cats.
Interested to hear results of non-AI compatible devices
I'm waiting to see if there are any bugs specific to non-AI compatible iPhones, before I upgrade.
Re Switching to Android?
Nope? your ears did not hear wrong.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/26/02/11/ios-263-arrives-with-a-simpler-way-to-transfer-from-iphone-to-android
Tiny bug/glitches in 26.3
Disclaimer, these will not disrupt anybody's workflow or anything, just a couple things I have noticed after updating my backup/testing device to iOS 26.3.
1. A while back I reported on iOS 18.7.2 that the emoji search feature was broken. That is to say that when trying to type something in the search field, absolutely no emojis would populate. This was not the case in iOS 18.7.1. I have since figured out the fix/workaround. On iOS 18 or later as of this writing, go to Settings, Display & Brightness. At the very bottom of this screen, double tap on Display Zoom. If you have it set to larger text, it will break emoji search. At least on smaller devices. If you set it to default, emoji search will work fine.
2. Display Zoom is also where the second bug/glitch exist. This one is minuscule, but wanted to report it anyways. If you do decide to switch between larger text or default, and iOS 18 and earlier, once you make your choice there is a "Done" button. However, on iOS 26.3, the "Done" button is mislabeled "Selected" button.
HTH.
Infuriating text field bug fixed!
Their was a horrible bug with any text field in iOS 26 - 26.2.1 where it seemed like the keyboard haptic machine-gunned itself open and closed when activating a field or sending a message. This would drag on VoiceOver and make the BSI input and interaction unbearable.
I am no longer encountering this issue since updating to 26.3! Looks like they actually fixed something I filed.
Interesting about android
whilest not a android user myself nice to know people have that option. I'm guessing for the apps the android device would download its android counterparts? I.e, say one has speech central, one transfers to android, the android device would then download speech central but for android. At least that's how i'm picturing it. Would be interesting to see what happens when an app exists for ios but not for android? Or vice versa. Also, what about accessibility settings? Obviously voiceover settings cant be transfered but, status of settings? I.e, accessibility features on or off etc? This is interesting for sure.
Grad the appstore status of downloading apps got fixed. Granted it was miner but man if it wasn't annoying as heck.
missing information when editting passcode to update
A small bug that has been with us for a while. Usually when you enter your passcode on the lock screen when you delete a character vo will announce the number of characters and the requiered number usually X of 6 in the edit field. This has not worked when you have to enter passcode to start the update, and it does still not work from 26.2.1 to 26.3
iPad 9
When I updated could not put password. Lucky I have an slim folio keyboard and that help. Without it I would not be able to put the password. Long live cats.
App update bug isn't totally fixed
It doesn't give weird words anymore. However, for me at least as apps are downloading it now says something on the lines of 35% complete then a random other number so, 35% complete 64%. No idea what that is about. That random number changes as more of the app is installed.
Dictation
Still broken, not accurate, iMessage, Dystopia, Apple Mail you name it! Moreover, I'm dictating this post and once I double tap to stop dictation voiceover is not reading back what I have dictated! Right here right now Be My Eyes! Except not/S
my thoughts
Hi,
After updating, here are my thoughts. first, I use Dictation for messaging people in my contacts and so far it's been working fine as expected. No issues here on my end. However, the Community dictionary in Eloquence seems to be broken in some areas. For example, it not only affects when it says the words iOS, but it also affects macOS and some folks in my contacts with different names. The apps such as Gmail and WhatsApp all seem to be speaking correctly without any issues. overall, everything else appears to be working normally as expected. Hopefully Apple will address these issues and release an update with the fix to the community dictionary in eloquence.
Re: Interesting about android
To answer your question Igna, the feature only transfers data. You will have to manually find the third-party apps yourself that you wish to use at this time. Eventually, it may do what you're thinking of.
Someone else feel free to correct if I may have missed something.
Re interesting
Still very neet for sure.
I just updated both of my devices
I’ve just updated both of my devices. This comment is being written with dictation. I didn’t see any problems with dictation so far on my secondary device which is an iPhone SE third generation. Because of this, I decided it was safe to update my primary phone, which is an iPhone 15. I am dictating my comment on my secondary device at the moment though. Seems to be OK so far. And I am somebody who does rely on dictation. I mean, I think updating is completely an individual decision and it always has been. So far I haven’t seen really any issues. Hopefully everybody else is having a good luck with this update.
Agree with Singer Girl
So far I have only updated 26.3 to my backup/testing device, which is an old iPhone SE 2020. Other than the little glitches I mentioned a few posts above, I've not really had any problems with the update. Dictation is also working rather well for me, at least better than my primary device, an iPhone SE 2022, still running iOS 18.7.2.
Go figure...
RE: App update bug isn't totally fixed
Hi Lee,
I just listened to an app update download with your findings in mind. On my device, VoiceOver spoke the following pieces of information:
Is this what you are experiencing?
i have tu update
i gotta update my iPad 9 to 26.3, i haven't done it yet