Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.3 yesterday. They only finished rolling out iOS 26.2 a few days back, but testing’s already started on the next version.
Moving to Android doesn’t need separate apps anymore
Transfer to Android is the standout here. Apple’s built it straight into iOS now. Before, switching from iPhone to Android meant downloading extra apps and working out how to shift everything across. Now you connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi and transfer photos, contacts, messages, and apps directly.
Apple’s had proper migration tools between iPhones for years. Making Android transfers this straightforward is something they probably should’ve sorted ages ago, but at least it’s here now.
Third-party wearables can receive iPhone notifications (EU only, for now)
Notification Forwarding is the other main addition, though you’ll need to be in the EU. Go to Settings > Notifications > Notification Forwarding, turn it on, and select which apps you want to send notifications to third-party wearables.
There’s a catch, though. This only works with one device at a time. Do you already have an Apple Watch paired to your iPhone? Notifications won’t forward to other wearables. You have to choose.
Apple didn’t do this out of goodwill. The EU’s Digital Markets Act forced them to open up iOS notifications to third-party devices. If you’re outside Europe, you’re not getting this feature yet.
Weather wallpaper gets its own section
There’s a smaller change to the Weather wallpaper. It sits in its own dedicated section now when you’re customizing your Lock Screen, rather than being buried somewhere you’d never look.
Nothing major there, but it makes the feature easier to spot.
Expected release date
iOS 26.3 should arrive properly in January, assuming beta testing doesn’t uncover any serious problems. The beta’s available now if you’re part of Apple’s developer program or signed up for public beta testing.
