Apple has quietly started testing iOS 26.3, the next software update for users.
iOS 26.3 will be compatible with all iPhone models that already support iOS 26.
While Apple has not officially announced a release date, the update is widely expected to roll out in late January, following a short beta cycle.
Apple has quietly started testing iOS 26.3, the next software update for users, with a public expected toward the end of January. The early signs suggest this will be a relatively modest update, likely due to development taking place during the holiday period, but it still introduces a few notable quality-of-life changes.
SurveyiOS 26.3 features
Speaking of the features, the iOS 26.3 update is said to bring a new tool which is designed to make switching from an iPhone to an Android device easier. The feature will allow users to place their iPhone next to an Android phone to begin the transfer process automatically. Once it gets connected, users will be able to move their personal data, such as photos, messages, notes, contacts, passwords, and even apps, without installing an additional transfer app. However, certain data types like health records, Bluetooth paired devices and locked notes, will not be carried over. Google already offers a similar solution for Android to iPhone transfer.
Also read: Google to shut down Dark Web Report feature in February 2026: Here’s why
The iOS 26.3 will also bring an option that will allow the iPhone notifications to be mirrored to third-party wearables, such as Android-based smartwatches. The feature will be enabled from a new section within notification settings via Apple limits forwarding to one device at a time.
When active, notifications will no longer appear on Apple Watch. Notably, the function is currently restricted to users in the European Union, a move widely seen as Apple’s response to ongoing antitrust scrutiny around platform access for rival wearables.
In beta, Apple has also made a small but visible tweak to Lock Screen customisation. Weather wallpapers now have their own dedicated section, separate from the Astronomy category. Users will be able to choose from multiple pre-set designs that combine different clock styles and weather widgets, offering a clearer preview of how real-time weather elements can be integrated into Lock Screen.
iOS 26.3 eligible devices and release timeline
iOS 26.3 will be compatible with all iPhone models that already support iOS 26. It includes iPhone 11 series, all iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 and the newer 17 series. While Apple has not officially announced a release date, the update is widely expected to roll out in late January, following a short beta cycle.
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Ashish Singh
Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. He's been wrangling tech jargon since 2020 (Times Internet, Jagran English '22). When not policing commas, he's likely fueling his gadget habit with coffee, strategising his next virtual race, or plotting a road trip to test the latest in-car tech. He speaks fluent Geek. View Full Profile
