Following the release of iOS 16.2 on Friday, December 12, the first beta release of iOS 26.3 was made available to developers a few days later, on December 15. We expect a final release to the public sometime in late January or early February. This is reportedly the last minor refresh before iOS 26.4 brings the revamped Siri upgrade we’ve waited over a year to get.
Update January 26: The third beta of iOS 26.3 has been released. It is unclear what is new—Apple doesn’t issue release notes for beta updates—but support for the new AirTags is probably included.
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iOS 26.3 beta: What’s new
The iOS 26.3 beta does not feature many obvious changes. Most of them appear to be bug fixes and security updates. We’ll keep this section updated with whatever user-facing changes are found.
Easier switching between Android and iPhone: iOS 26.3 brings support for easier iOS/Android switching made in collaboration with Google at the behest of the European Union. You can read more about that here.
Notification forwarding for third-party devices: Another EU-mandated change, Apple will allow for notifications to be forwarded to third-party devices, like smartwatches other than Apple Watch. There is a new Notification Forwarding section in Settings > Notifications
Limit precise location for carriers: A new option outlined in this support document will allow you to disable precise location finding for your carrier. It requires iOS 26.3 and a supporting carrier (EE or BT in the U.K., Boost Mobile in the U.S.). This has no impact on location for apps or the OS, it only applies to carrier location tracking, and changes it from precise (exact street address) to coarse (neighborhood).
iOS 26.3 beta: How to install the public beta
If you want to test the iOS 26 beta releases but are not a registered developer, follow these steps:
- Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
- Log in to the Beta Software Program.
- Click Enroll your iOS device.
- Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
- In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.
It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.
iOS 26.3 beta: How to install the developer beta
You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:
- Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
- Open the app.
- Tap on Account.
- Sign in using your usual Apple ID.
Find out everything you need to know about iOS 26 in our iOS 26 superguide.
