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Apple Releases iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3
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I noticed that these massive update sizes seem to be when there is some change with Apple Intelligence. You will see 10gb+ if you have an Apple Intelligence capable device.
Howard2k
macrumors 604
N0ughtsAndCr0sses
macrumors 6502a
It can be quite confusing when two people with the same phone model see totally different numbers for the same update. Even if you are both coming from the exact same previous version, the size difference usually comes down to how Apple packages the files for your specific device at that moment.
Here are the main reasons why this happens:
1. "Delta" Updates vs. Full Updates
This is the most common technical reason:
* Delta (Small): The phone downloads only the specific code that has changed since the last version. It’s like replacing a few parts in a car rather than the whole engine.
* Full/Combo (Large): Sometimes, the system triggers a full download (often 5-6GB+) if it detects a file corruption, a previous update error, or if the "Delta" path is unavailable for your specific build. It replaces the entire operating system to ensure stability.
2. Update Method
* OTA (Over-the-Air): Updates done directly via the iPhone settings over Wi-Fi are usually Delta updates (smaller).
* Via Computer (Mac/PC): If you plug your phone into a computer and use Finder or iTunes, it will always download the full firmware image. This is much larger because it completely overwrites the system to ensure a clean install.
3. App Thinning and Hardware Specifics
Apple uses a process called App Thinning. Even with the same model, the server might send different resource packets based on your regional settings, storage capacity, or even specific hardware revisions within the same model line. Newer models might also download extra assets (like AI models or high-res graphics) that older models don't receive.
4. Preparation Space
Sometimes the size shown includes the space required to unpack the files, not just the download itself. If a device is low on storage, the system might report a different "required space" figure to account for moving temporary files around during the installation process.
> Key Takeaway: No matter which size you see, once the update is finished and the temporary files are deleted, both phones will end up using roughly the same amount of storage.
Black_Mage
macrumors 6502
frenchcamp49er
macrumors 6502a
gstevie
macrumors 6502
I have a 17 PM all AI features turned on, went from 26.2.1 and my .3 install size was under 2gb.
Tagbert
macrumors 604
If you are talking about the autocorrect and suggestions, that is run by a local AI model and would probably not get an upgrade until 26.4.
Anecdotally can confirm, was just thinking this when I too saw the large reported size. But then after pressing install, it went from downloading to preparing far faster than a full 17GB download would have taken. I'm not sure exactly what file size it's referring to there, but it doesn't seem to be the amount it has to actually download.
Is there a slider to turn off Liquid Glass? Or a slider to reclaim all the lost screen real estate from the ios26 “upgrade?” Or a slider to allow me to place search boxes, etc back where I prefer them? Or a slider to turn off all the distracting visual candy that slows down my phone?
Not sure what OP was referring to, but there's this and also the issue of missed keys presses. I've consistently noticed when typing certain words that contain other words it sometimes seems to want to stop there and not take the next key press. The same specific words every time.
There's also the issue of tons of missed presses in general in 26. Many times lately I have tapped a screen element, even seen the visual feedback for the touch, and yet nothing happens. I have to press it again with feeling this time before it gets through to it.
Seems to be something going on with accidental touch rejection or something like that.
theapplehead
macrumors 6502a
I’m doing the jump today from iOS 18 as well. We’ll get thru it together haha
Reduce transparency is as good as it gets. And at least in 26.2, actually seems to slow the phone down even more somehow.
You will. It will just be slightly less painful than having done it in September.
HouseLannister
macrumors 68040
No, in the 26.3 beta, Apple tested other Europe-only changes for third-party wearables. It does not appear to be in the GM.
"Proximity pairing will allow third-party devices to pair with an iOS device in an AirPods-like one-tap way by bringing an accessory close to an iPhone or an iPad."
Do we know how this is done?
Obviously the standard mechanisms of the past have been
- Bluetooth (which can work well),
- WiFi (a godawful disaster that immediately has me reject a product because it will always involve some crazy dance of trying to switch WiFi networks on a phone while getting the time just right and avoiding the phone switching back to your usual network)
- a camera based scheme to exchange secrets (that swirling pattern thing when you pair watch with phone)
An interesting idea to keep an eye out for going forward is an audio channel. Apple has some patents for proximity pairing based on ultrasound.
I don't know what the expected used case is (presumably something without bluetooth but with at least a tiny speaker/microphone, which seems a pretty small set?) but maybe this is something we will see going forward?
Do we know how this is done?
Obviously the standard mechanisms of the past have been
- Bluetooth (which can work well),
- WiFi (a godawful disaster that immediately has me reject a product because it will always involve some crazy dance of trying to switch WiFi networks on a phone while getting the time just right and avoiding the phone switching back to your usual network)
- a camera based scheme to exchange secrets (that swirling pattern thing when you pair watch with phone)
An interesting idea to keep an eye out for going forward is an audio channel. Apple has some patents for proximity pairing based on ultrasound.
I don't know what the expected used case is (presumably something without bluetooth but with at least a tiny speaker/microphone, which seems a pretty small set?) but maybe this is something we will see going forward?
Have you tried turning off 'Slide to Type'? If you don’t use it anyway, it might help. It fixed some keyboard issues for me. I think it’s too sensitive and gets triggered too easily, so every slight micro finger movement activates it. There are theories that this is responsible for skipped letters or typos.
jz0309
macrumors P6
frenchcamp49er
macrumors 6502a
The way it’s going it will be iOS 27 before I update from iOS 18.
Out of interest the update size for my 13 Pro is 5.82 GB
5.23 GB on iPhone 15 Plus. It’s weird because when iPhone was downloading update it’s automatically restarted and give me panic-full log and reset counter 😭