What’s new in iOS 26.3? Android transfers, smarter notifications and more

Apple iOS 26

Apple has rolled out the first developer beta of iOS 26.3, offering an early look at a relatively focused update for iPhone users. While it is not as feature-heavy as some previous point releases, iOS 26.3 places clear emphasis on interoperability, particularly between iPhone and Android devices, while also expanding support for third-party wearables. There are also a few quieter refinements to the system interface that hint at Apple’s longer-term direction.

One of the headline additions in iOS 26.3 is a new Transfer to Android feature. This system is designed to make it significantly easier for iPhone users to move their data to an Android phone, something Apple has historically done little to encourage. The feature has been developed in collaboration with Google and mirrors similar functionality now appearing in the latest Android beta for users switching in the opposite direction.

Inside the Settings app, Apple explains that users simply need to place their Android phone next to their iPhone to begin the transfer process. Once the devices are connected, the system allows wireless migration of key data, including photos, messages, notes, contacts, apps and other core content. Apple has also confirmed that a user’s phone number can be transferred as part of the process, removing one of the more awkward friction points when changing platforms.

There are limitations, at least for now. Apple notes that certain sensitive data types are excluded from the transfer. These include Health data, Bluetooth device pairings, locked notes and some other protected information. Both Apple and Google have said that support for additional data categories will be explored as beta testing continues, suggesting this system may expand further before its public release.

Another important change in iOS 26.3 is the introduction of Notification Forwarding for third-party wearables. With this feature enabled, iPhone notifications can be sent to a compatible non-Apple smartwatch or wearable device. Users can view and interact with alerts in a way that was previously limited almost entirely to the Apple Watch ecosystem.

Apple has placed clear constraints on how this works. Notifications can only be forwarded to one accessory at a time, and when Notification Forwarding is active, notifications will no longer appear on an Apple Watch. This prevents duplication and confusion, but it also highlights how Apple is carefully opening up its platform without fully blurring the lines between its own products and third-party hardware.

iOS 26.3 also introduces minor but noticeable changes to wallpapers. The combined Weather and Astronomy wallpaper category has now been split into two separate sections. While the Astronomy wallpapers remain unchanged, continuing to show real-time views of Earth or the solar system, Apple has added a handful of new pre-built options to the Weather category. These wallpapers dynamically reflect live weather conditions at the user’s location, reinforcing Apple’s ongoing push towards more context-aware visual elements.

In terms of timing, iOS 26.3 is expected to be released publicly towards the end of January. Looking at previous patterns, iOS 18.3 launched on January 27, while iOS 17.3 arrived on January 22, placing a late-January release firmly in line with Apple’s usual schedule.

At this stage, iOS 26.3 appears to be a smaller update compared to iOS 26.2, focusing more on platform alignment and ecosystem flexibility than on headline-grabbing features. That said, it is still early in the beta cycle, and Apple often introduces additional changes as testing progresses.