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If you\u2019re running the iOS 26.3 beta, Apple has just released a new security update you can install. But there\u2019s a catch: rather than including fixes, the update is simply testing out a new system. Here are the details. [Updated 1\/8 with second release details]<\/p>\n
iOS 26.3 security update tests new \u2018Background Security Improvements\u2019 system<\/p>\n
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A new year is here, and we\u2019re expecting fresh betas for iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and more any day now.<\/p>\n
But today, as spotted by Aaron Perris<\/a>, Apple shipped a different kind of update for beta users.<\/p>\n \u2018iOS 26.3 (a)\u2019 is now available, a test update for the recently revamped \u2018Background Security Improvements\u2019 system.<\/p>\n You won\u2019t find the update in the usual Software Update screen. Instead, it can be found under Privacy & Security \u21fe Background Security Improvements.<\/p>\n When iOS 26.1 shipped last fall, it included an overhaul<\/a> of the old security updates system. The new system, Background Security Improvements, has yet to be used by Apple\u2014but it\u2019s installed on all iPhones starting with iOS 26.1.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re running the iOS 26.3 beta, you can install a test security update today. Its release notes say:<\/p>\n This Background Security Improvement is for testing purposes only and does not contain any security fixes.<\/p>\n The installation process works just like a standard Software Update, other than being located in a different menu in Settings.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve installed the update, there\u2019s one key difference though: you can opt to remove the update right from the same Settings screen.<\/p>\n If you choose to remove an installed update, your iPhone will restart and the security update will no longer be installed.<\/p>\n Perhaps today\u2019s test means Apple plans to start deploying Background Security Improvements to all users soon.<\/p>\n Update 1\/8: Two days after the first test security update, Apple has followed up with a new \u2018iOS 26.3 (b)\u2019 release for beta users. Once again, the update is for testing purposes only, with no actual fixes.<\/p>\n Best iPhone accessories<\/p>\n \t\t FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/background-security-improvement-ios-26-3.jpg\")
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