Software Updates 6 January 2026 - 4 February 2026

iOS 27 leak hints Apple will keep WWDC 2026 “muted” — betting on bug fixes and a chatbot Siri
···

iOS 27 leak hints Apple will keep WWDC 2026 “muted” — betting on bug fixes and a chatbot Siri

Apple’s iOS 27 will focus on bug fixes, performance improvements, and minor design tweaks, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported Sunday. A more personalized Siri with a chatbot interface is expected as the main upgrade. Gurman said the first iOS 26.4 developer beta, including parts of the new Siri, is due the week of Feb. 23. Apple has not announced WWDC 2026 dates.
February 9, 2026
Android 17 leak shows Google’s “blurry” redesign — plus a new screen recorder
···

Android 17 leak shows Google’s “blurry” redesign — plus a new screen recorder

Leaked screenshots show Android 17 testing a broader blur effect on menus like the volume and power controls, replacing solid backgrounds with translucent panels. The internal build also adds a revamped screen recorder and a new “Lock app” shortcut. The changes echo Apple’s recent push for translucent interface layers. Some users have raised concerns about readability.
January 27, 2026
Apple Drops iOS 26.3 Beta 3 — The Update That Helps You Move to Android
···

Apple Drops iOS 26.3 Beta 3 — The Update That Helps You Move to Android

Apple released beta 3 versions of its 26.3 software updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, TV, and Vision Pro on Monday. iOS 26.3 adds a built-in “Transfer to Android” tool and an EU-only notification setting for third-party wearables. Public release timing remains unclear, with estimates ranging from late January to early February. No major new features were reported for macOS 26.3 beta 3.
January 27, 2026
Windows 11 January 2026 update chaos: Microsoft probes boot failures as emergency fixes pile up
···

Windows 11 January 2026 update chaos: Microsoft probes boot failures as emergency fixes pile up

Microsoft is investigating Windows 11 boot failures tied to January security updates, with some users seeing “UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUME” errors. Affected devices may need manual recovery, though virtual machines appear unaffected. On Jan. 24, Microsoft released patch KB5078127 to fix cloud storage and Outlook hangs. The company has not identified the root cause of the boot issues.
January 26, 2026
Google’s “high-friction” Android sideloading update is coming — here’s what changes
···

Google’s “high-friction” Android sideloading update is coming — here’s what changes

Google will require extra steps for sideloading apps on Android, calling it an “Accountability Layer” rather than a ban. New Play Store text strings show an “Install without verifying” option with added warnings and online checks. The rollout is expected to start later this year in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, according to Android Authority. The change also affects Google TV and Android TV devices.
January 20, 2026
Technology News 20.01.2026
···

Technology News 20.01.2026

Apple leakers disputed reports that the iPhone 18 Pro’s Dynamic Island would disappear and the front camera move to the left edge. Jon Prosser shared renders showing a left-edge punch hole, while Instant Digital and ShrimpApplePro said only an under-display infrared sensor would be on the left, with Face ID components on the right. Ross Young said he had previously hinted at a similar design.
January 20, 2026
Microsoft rushes emergency Windows 11 fix after update breaks shutdown and Remote Desktop sign-ins
··

Microsoft rushes emergency Windows 11 fix after update breaks shutdown and Remote Desktop sign-ins

Microsoft released emergency Windows updates on Jan. 17 to fix Remote Desktop sign-in failures and shutdown issues. The Remote Desktop bug hit multiple Windows versions, including Windows 10 ESU and Windows 11, while the shutdown problem affected Windows 11 23H2 devices with Secure Launch enabled. Updates are available through the Microsoft Update Catalog.
January 18, 2026
Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 adds tap-to-resize widgets as Google rolls more Pixel fixes
···

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 adds tap-to-resize widgets as Google rolls more Pixel fixes

Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 adds plus and minus buttons for resizing widgets on Pixel devices, replacing drag handles. The update, released Jan. 14, targets crashes, battery drain, sluggish Wi‑Fi, and charging issues. January security patches address two critical vulnerabilities, including one in Bluetooth. The beta covers Pixel 6 through Pixel 10, foldables, and tablets.
January 17, 2026
Google Pixel January 2026 Update Rolling Out on Android 16: Big Pixel 10 GPU Fixes, Battery Drain Patch, and Critical Security Updates
···

Google Pixel January 2026 Update Rolling Out on Android 16: Big Pixel 10 GPU Fixes, Battery Drain Patch, and Critical Security Updates

Google’s January 2026 Pixel update is rolling out with GPU performance improvements for the Pixel 10 series and battery drain fixes for Pixel 8 and newer models. The update includes the 2026-01-05 security patch. Devices from Pixel 7a to Pixel 10, including Pixel Fold and Tablet, are receiving the update. Region-specific builds are available depending on carrier and location.
January 14, 2026
Google Photos could soon add Backup Schedule and Playback Speed controls in a new Expressive UI update (Jan 13, 2026)
···

Google Photos could soon add Backup Schedule and Playback Speed controls in a new Expressive UI update (Jan 13, 2026)

Google Photos is testing new features including a Backup schedule setting, video playback speed controls, and an option to hide date separators in the photo grid, according to code found in version 7.58. Multiple tech outlets report these changes, but Google has not officially announced them. The updates were discovered through APK teardown and are not yet live.
January 13, 2026
January 2026 Google System Update rolls out: Play services 26.01 brings cross‑device Wallet history, plus Play Store 49.7 and WebView 144 fixes
···

January 2026 Google System Update rolls out: Play services 26.01 brings cross‑device Wallet history, plus Play Store 49.7 and WebView 144 fixes

Google’s January 2026 Google System updates are rolling out to Android devices, Wear OS, TV, Auto, and ChromeOS. Users can now view Google Wallet transaction history across devices, including online purchases with virtual card numbers. The Play Store adds a new reward choice option. Android WebView receives security and privacy fixes.
January 13, 2026
Nothing Removes Lock Glimpse Lock Screen Ads in Latest Update — Meta Bloatware and App Recommendations Also Get Changes (Jan 10, 2026)
···

Nothing Removes Lock Glimpse Lock Screen Ads in Latest Update — Meta Bloatware and App Recommendations Also Get Changes (Jan 10, 2026)

Nothing will remove the Lock Glimpse lock screen feature from most Nothing Phone (a) Series devices, except the Lite model. The company also announced easier removal of Meta system services and the ability to disable app recommendation prompts during setup. Disabling Meta services on the Phone (3a) Lite now triggers a reboot and removes them from the system partition until a factory reset.
January 10, 2026
Android 16 Was Boring at Launch — Now Google’s Update Is Packed With Changes
···

Android 16 Was Boring at Launch — Now Google’s Update Is Packed With Changes

Google’s Android 16, first released to Pixel phones in June 2025, has seen major changes through quarterly updates, including a full interface redesign, lock-screen widgets, and new multitasking features. An Android Authority poll found 82% of 239 respondents rated it the best Android version in recent years. Google now delivers features in stages rather than a single annual update. The next quarterly release is in beta testing.
January 9, 2026
Samsung admits it held back Google Play system updates on Galaxy phones — and says they’ll return
···

Samsung admits it held back Google Play system updates on Galaxy phones — and says they’ll return

Samsung confirmed it delayed Google Play system updates on some Galaxy phones due to internal software checks during major One UI updates and new device launches. The company says rollouts will resume in January but gave no specific schedule. Users reported Play system versions stuck at July–September 2025 despite receiving other security patches. Samsung did not clarify which models will get updates first.
January 8, 2026
January 2026 Google Play system update is causing buggy reboots on Pixel phones — what’s happening and how to fix it
···

January 2026 Google Play system update is causing buggy reboots on Pixel phones — what’s happening and how to fix it

A Google Play system update released January 7 is causing problems for some Pixel phone users, including black screens after reboot and missing home screen elements. Affected models include the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10, with users reporting issues in online forums. The update is about 15 MB, but many devices still show a November 2025 update level after installation. Google has not commented on the reports.
January 7, 2026
Samsung One UI 8.5 Beta 3 Rolls Out for Galaxy S25: January 2026 Security Patch, Battery Drain Fixes, and a Cleaner Camera Video Menu
···

Samsung One UI 8.5 Beta 3 Rolls Out for Galaxy S25: January 2026 Security Patch, Battery Drain Fixes, and a Cleaner Camera Video Menu

Samsung has released One UI 8.5 Beta 3 for Galaxy S25 series testers, including the January 2026 security patch and fixes for battery drain, lock screen errors, and Gallery lag. The update is live in the U.S., South Korea, Germany, and the UK, with some regions labeling it as “Beta 2” due to rollout differences. The build is about 1.2GB and focuses on stability improvements.
January 6, 2026
iOS 26.3 Could Be a Big iPhone Update in Europe: AirPods‑Style Pairing for Any Earbuds, Third‑Party Watch Notifications, and an Easier Switch to Android (January 6, 2026)
···

iOS 26.3 Could Be a Big iPhone Update in Europe: AirPods‑Style Pairing for Any Earbuds, Third‑Party Watch Notifications, and an Easier Switch to Android (January 6, 2026)

Apple’s iOS 26.3 update is expected by late January 2026. EU users may see AirPods-style proximity pairing for third-party earbuds and expanded smartwatch notifications, in line with Digital Markets Act requirements. All users get a new Transfer to Android tool and additional Weather wallpapers.
January 6, 2026
1 2