Only a few days after Apple pushed out iOS 26.2 and a wave of related updates across its devices, the company has already kicked off the next round of software releases. The first developer beta versions are now available for iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, macOS Tahoe 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and visionOS 26.3, giving developers an early look at what’s coming next.
These are developer betas, meaning they’re designed for app makers and testing environments rather than everyday use. Anyone who simply wants the new features without the risk of bugs, battery drain, or app issues is better off waiting for the public beta, which is expected to arrive soon.
Apple typically doesn’t provide a full, detailed changelog for early beta releases. However, new capabilities often show up through code discoveries and early testing. With iOS 26.3, two changes stand out immediately—and both point toward Apple loosening parts of its ecosystem in ways that could matter to a lot of users.
Easier switching from iPhone to Android is finally taking shape
One of the most talked-about additions in iOS 26.3 is support for a more streamlined move from an iPhone to an Android phone. The goal is to make the “switching sides” process far less frustrating, with a setup flow that helps transfer a wide range of personal content.
The transfer experience is expected to support pairing through a QR code or a session ID-style code, helping users initiate the move without complicated steps.
The types of data that can be transferred include:
Photos and videos
MP3 and other audio files
Contacts stored on the device or synced via cloud services, including iCloud
Texting history, including SMS, RCS messages, and iMessages (with photos, videos, emoji reactions, and attachments)
Documents and downloaded files
Calendar entries stored locally or synced in the cloud, including iCloud
Free apps that have a match available on Google Play
WhatsApp chat history
Voice memos
Notes
Call history
Home screen app layout plus custom wallpapers
A selection of device settings, including alarms, saved Wi‑Fi network names (SSIDs), font size, and screen timeout preferences
At the same time, some items still won’t carry over, including:
In-app purchases
Certain device settings (for example, Wi‑Fi passwords)
DRM-protected music
Safari bookmarks
Paid apps or apps not available on Google Play
Some app-specific data, particularly information not synced to the cloud
In short, iOS 26.3 appears focused on making the jump from iPhone to Android more realistic for everyday users—while acknowledging that certain protected, paid, or platform-specific data still won’t move cleanly.
iPhone notifications may soon work with third-party wearables
The other notable change in iOS 26.3 is a feature that could make iPhones friendlier with non-Apple wearable devices. The update introduces support for forwarding incoming iPhone notifications to a third-party wearable, which would be a meaningful shift for users who prefer a different smartwatch but still rely on an iPhone.
Apple is expected to include controls that let users choose which apps can forward notifications, adding a layer of privacy and customization. There’s also an important limitation: notification forwarding only works with one wearable at a time. So if a third-party wearable is receiving forwarded notifications, an Apple Watch wouldn’t receive them simultaneously.
More iOS 26.3 features are likely to surface as testing continues and additional beta builds roll out.
