First iOS 26.3 Beta Released as Siri Overhaul Draws Closer
Apple has rolled out the first beta of iOS 26.3 to developers on December 15, shortly after the public release of iOS 16.2 on Friday, December 12. The final version of iOS 26.3 is expected to be released to all users by late January or early February. According to reports, this will be the final minor update before iOS 26.4 arrives with the long-awaited, redesigned Siri experience.
iOS 26.3 Beta: What’s New
Apple has not yet revealed the complete list of changes in iOS 26.3, but a few notable updates have already surfaced. More features are expected to be discovered as testing continues.
- Simpler switching between Android and iPhone:
iOS 26.3 introduces improved support for moving from Android to iPhone. This update, developed in collaboration with Google, is part of new European Union requirements aimed at making platform switching easier. - Notification forwarding to third-party devices:
Another EU-driven change allows iPhone notifications to be forwarded to third-party devices, including smartwatches that are not Apple Watch models. A new Notification Forwarding option now appears under Settings > Notifications.
How to Install the iOS 26.3 Public Beta
If you’re not a registered developer but want to try the iOS 26 beta, follow these steps:
- Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website and click Sign Up.
- Register or sign in using your Apple ID.
- Select Enroll your iOS device.
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Under Beta Updates, choose iOS Public Beta.
The beta option may take a short time to appear after registration.
How to Install the iOS 26.3 Developer Beta
To access the developer beta, you’ll need an Apple Developer account. A free account is sufficient and can be set up using Xcode or the Apple Developer app. To install via the app:
- Download the Apple Developer app from the App Store.
- Open the app and tap Account.
- Sign in with your Apple ID.
Once enrolled, the developer beta will be available through Software Update in Settings.
