Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.3, the next update to iOS 26 that’s expected to land publicly in late January.
While iOS 26.3 doesn’t overhaul the iPhone experience, it focuses on ecosystem flexibility, regulatory compliance, and light interface refinements. Here’s what’s new so far in the first beta.
Easier Android switching, wearable notifications, and subtle UI tweaks
The most notable addition in iOS 26.3 is a new Transfer to Android feature that simplifies switching away from the iPhone. Instead of downloading a separate app, users can place their iPhone next to an Android device to start the transfer.
From there, photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone numbers, and other data can be moved directly between devices.
Some information is excluded from the process, including Health data, Bluetooth-paired devices, and protected content like locked notes. Google already offers a similar Android-to-iPhone transfer tool, making this a more balanced, two-way migration system between platforms.
iOS 26.3 also introduces Notification Forwarding, a new setting that allows iPhone notifications to be sent to third-party wearable devices such as Android smartwatches. The option lives in the Notifications section of the Settings app and supports forwarding to one device at a time. If enabled, notifications will no longer appear on an Apple Watch.
This change appears closely tied to regulatory pressure, particularly in the European Union, where Apple has faced criticism for limiting system-level access to third-party wearables. As a result, Notification Forwarding is currently exclusive to EU users.
Apple has also made a small but noticeable tweak to Lock Screen customisation. Weather wallpapers now have their own dedicated section, separate from Astronomy wallpapers. Three preset styles are available, each featuring different clock fonts and widget layouts to better showcase real-time weather information.
iOS 26.3 is compatible with all iPhones that support iOS 26, and while future betas may introduce additional changes, this update is shaping up to be a refinement-focused release rather than a major feature drop.
