Apple has pushed out the second developer betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, continuing its testing cycle ahead of a public release expected later this month.
The update arrives roughly four weeks after the first beta and focuses more on refinements and system-level changes than headline features.
Developers enrolled in Apple’s beta program can download the update through the Settings app on supported iPhone and iPad models. The builds are also available directly from Apple’s Developer portal, though over-the-air availability may still be rolling out gradually.
iOS 26.3 Improves iPhone to Android Transfers
One of the more notable additions in iOS 26.3 is an expanded tool for switching from an iPhone to an Android device. Apple has quietly made the process more streamlined, allowing data transfers to begin directly during device setup rather than requiring a separate app download.
The transfer system supports a wide range of data, including photos, messages, notes, contacts, passwords, apps, and even phone number information. While Apple has long focused on keeping users inside its ecosystem, this change suggests growing pressure to simplify cross-platform migration, especially in regions with stricter interoperability expectations.
New Notification Support for Third-Party Wearables in the EU
Another practical update arrives specifically for users in the European Union. iOS 26.3 introduces a Notification Forwarding option for third-party wearable devices, expanding notification access beyond the Apple Watch.
This aligns with recent regulatory changes in the EU that encourage broader platform compatibility and reduced ecosystem lock-in. While the feature will not impact users globally, it could significantly improve the experience for EU users relying on non-Apple wearables.
Minor Visual Tweaks and System Polish
Outside of functional changes, iOS 26.3 also includes small visual updates. The Weather wallpaper has received subtle refinements, continuing Apple’s pattern of quietly adjusting system aesthetics between major releases.
As expected for a point update, performance improvements and bug fixes are also part of the package, though Apple does not publicly detail these changes during beta cycles.
Public Release Expected Later This Month
Apple is widely expected to release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public toward the end of January. Until then, testing will continue through additional beta builds as developers and Apple work to iron out remaining issues.
For users not enrolled in the beta program, this update should feel incremental rather than transformative, but features like improved device transfers and broader wearable support hint at longer-term shifts in Apple’s software priorities.
