Overview
- MacRumors, 9to5Mac, and Macworld each observed devices running iOS 26.3.1 in their site logs, indicating Apple is testing the build internally.
- Reporters characterize 26.3.1 as a minor point release focused on bug fixes and security, with no official confirmation from Apple on contents.
- The expected timing aligns with a reported March 2–4 announcement window and an "Apple Experience" hands-on on March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai.
- Recent precedent shows Apple using point updates to add quiet hardware support, and some outlets speculate 26.3.1 could prepare for new devices such as an iPhone 17e, though this remains unconfirmed.
- In parallel, Apple released developer beta 2 for the 26.4 cycle across platforms, adding features such as Apple Music’s Playlist Playground, video podcast support, RCS end-to-end encryption testing, and a Mac charge limit setting.