With iOS 26.3, Apple is taking a significant step toward opening up iPhone notifications to third-party wearables. The update introduces a new Notification Forwarding feature that allows iPhone notifications to be sent to non-Apple devices, something that has long been restricted to Apple Watch.
The change was spotted in the first iOS 26.3 beta and later detailed by 9to5Mac, which points out that this feature is clearly part of Apple’s broader plan to comply with growing regulatory pressure, particularly in the European Union.
A new Notification Forwarding setting
In iOS 26.3, Apple adds a new Notification Forwarding option inside Settings > Notifications. From here, users can choose a third-party device, such as a smartwatch, to receive notifications forwarded from their iPhone.
Apple is enforcing a strict limitation from the start: notifications can only be forwarded to one accessory at a time. If Notification Forwarding is enabled for a third-party wearable, notifications will no longer appear on Apple Watch. Apple explicitly warns users of this during setup.
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Users can also control which apps are allowed to forward notifications, similar to per-app notification controls already available for Apple Watch. Forwarded notifications include the app name and the full notification content.
How Apple Plans to Make this Work
As highlighted by 9to5Mac, Notification Forwarding is built on a new public framework called AccessoryNotifications. While Apple has not yet published documentation for it, the framework is expected to give third-party device makers controlled access to iPhone notifications without granting deeper system privileges.
During the setup process, Apple clearly informs users that forwarded notifications may include sensitive content, such as messages, emails, and alerts. However, Apple avoids framing the feature as a security risk, despite previously arguing that notification access could expose private user data.
Why Apple is Doing This Now
This change is not happening in a vacuum. The Digital Markets Act in the EU requires Apple to give third-party smartwatches access to notifications and features that were previously exclusive to Apple Watch. Apple’s restrictive approach has also been cited by the US Department of Justice in its ongoing antitrust case, which accuses Apple of intentionally limiting third-party wearable functionality.
By introducing Notification Forwarding in iOS 26.3, Apple appears to be addressing both EU requirements and US antitrust scrutiny while maintaining tight technical and privacy controls.
What this Means Going Forward
For users, iOS 26.3 marks the first real step toward meaningful notification support on non-Apple wearables. For developers and regulators, it signals how Apple plans to open the platform just enough to comply with the law, without fully relinquishing control of the iPhone ecosystem.
Notification Forwarding is currently available in the iOS 26.3 beta, with broader rollout expected once the update is publicly released.
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