Apple releases iOS 26.3 security test for beta users, details here

If you’re running the iOS 26.3 beta, Apple has just released a new security update you can install. But there’s a catch: rather than including fixes, the update is simply testing out a new system. Here are the details.

A new year is here, and we’re expecting fresh betas for iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and more any day now.

But today, as spotted by Aaron Perris, Apple shipped a different kind of update for beta users.

‘iOS 26.3 (a)’ is now available, a test update for the recently revamped ‘Background Security Improvements’ system.

You won’t find the update in the usual Software Update screen. Instead, it can be found under Privacy & Security ⇾ Background Security Improvements.

When iOS 26.1 shipped last fall, it included an overhaul of the old security updates system. The new system, Background Security Improvements, has yet to be used by Apple—but it’s installed on all iPhones starting with iOS 26.1.

If you’re running the iOS 26.3 beta, you can install a test security update today. Its release notes say:

The installation process works just like a standard Software Update, other than being located in a different menu in Settings.

Once you’ve installed the update, there’s one key difference though: you can opt to remove the update right from the same Settings screen.

If you choose to remove an installed update, your iPhone will restart and the security update will no longer be installed.

Perhaps today’s test means Apple plans to start deploying Background Security Improvements to all users soon.