TL;DR
Apple has released the first iOS 26.3 beta, introducing a new Transfer to Android workflow and a Notification Forwarding option for third‑party wearables in the EU. The update also includes EU‑specific connectivity APIs, tweaks to wallpapers, and is expected to reach the public in late January.
What happened
Apple has seeded the initial iOS 26.3 beta to iPhone users, focusing on cross‑platform interoperability and expanded accessory support. The headline change is a Transfer to Android system built jointly with Google that lets an iPhone wirelessly connect to an Android device to move photos, messages, notes, apps and the phone number to the new handset. Apple says certain sensitive items — including Health data, paired Bluetooth devices and locked notes — are excluded from the transfer for now. iOS 26.3 also adds a Notification Forwarding setting that can relay iPhone alerts to a single third‑party smartwatch or wearable; when enabled, those notifications will not appear on Apple Watch. Several EU‑only features have been added to comply with the bloc’s Digital Markets Act, including AirPods‑like proximity pairing for non‑Apple accessories, new NFC initiation options and a high‑bandwidth peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi mode. Apple has also split the Weather and Astronomy wallpaper category and added a few new weather wallpapers.
Why it matters
- Easier switching could lower friction for users moving from iPhone to Android, potentially affecting handset choice.
- Notification Forwarding opens the door for third‑party smartwatches to display iPhone alerts, changing the accessory ecosystem in the EU.
- New EU connectivity APIs give developers tools to build interoperable devices that can work with iPhones without Apple‑branded hardware.
- Exclusions for sensitive data highlight ongoing limits to cross‑platform portability and privacy tradeoffs during beta.
Key facts
- The first iOS 26.3 beta has been released to testers.
- Transfer to Android is a wireless system developed in collaboration with Google to move photos, messages, notes, apps and a user’s phone number to a new Android device.
- Apple says Health data, Bluetooth device pairings, locked notes and other sensitive items are not transferred to Android as part of the current system.
- Notification Forwarding lets iPhone notifications appear on a single third‑party accessory and prevents those notifications from appearing on Apple Watch while enabled.
- Notification Forwarding is limited to the European Union as Apple prepares to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA).
- Additional EU features in the beta include proximity pairing for third‑party accessories, new NFC initiation capabilities, and a high‑bandwidth peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi mode.
- The EU expects the new interoperability features to be fully available in Europe during 2026, according to the Commission’s statement.
- Apple reorganized the wallpapers section, splitting Weather and Astronomy into separate categories and adding new Weather wallpapers that reflect live conditions.
- Based on past release timing, iOS 26.3 is likely to arrive publicly in late January.
What to watch next
- Whether Apple and Google expand the types of data that can be transferred during the beta — Apple and Google say new data types will be added during testing (confirmed in the source).
- If Notification Forwarding will be rolled out outside the European Union and how Apple will handle privacy concerns raised by the DMA (not confirmed in the source).
- The exact public release date for iOS 26.3 and whether additional features will be added before launch; the beta suggests a likely late‑January release (confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Beta: A pre‑release version of software made available to testers that may still contain bugs and is subject to change.
- Digital Markets Act (DMA): An EU regulation aimed at imposing interoperability and competition rules on large digital platforms to open markets and reduce gatekeeper control.
- NFC (Near Field Communication): A short‑range wireless technology used for close‑proximity data exchange, payments, and device initiation.
- Peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi: A direct wireless connection between devices that can enable high‑bandwidth data transfer without a central router.
Reader FAQ
When will iOS 26.3 be released to the public?
Likely in late January, based on prior release timing cited in the source.
What items are moved by the new Transfer to Android feature?
Photos, messages, notes, apps and the user’s phone number are transferred according to Apple’s beta documentation.
Will Health data and paired Bluetooth devices transfer to Android?
No — Apple says sensitive items such as Health data, Bluetooth device pairings and locked notes are not transferred in the current system.
Is Notification Forwarding available worldwide?
It is limited to the European Union in this beta; broader availability is not confirmed in the source.
iOS 26 lets you customize Liquid Glass on your iPhone, here’s how Ryan Christoffel Dec 23 2025 IOS 26 IOS 26.3 iOS 26.3: New features for your iPhone Chance Miller…
Sources
- iOS 26.3: New features for your iPhone
- New in iOS 26.3: Android transfer & third-party wearables
- Apple's iOS 26.3 has 2 new features to make the European …
- iOS 26.3 Adds Notification Forwarding Option for Third- …
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