CUPERTINO, California, Jan 15, 2026, 12:02 (PST)
- Apple has released watchOS 26.3 Public Beta 2 for Apple Watch software testers
- The beta is part of a wider set of 26.3 public test releases across Apple devices
- Beta software can be unstable, and some features can still face legal and regulatory risk
Apple has released the second public beta of watchOS 26.3 for Apple Watch testers, extending a software cycle that Apple is running across iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV. The same batch of public betas includes an iPhone feature in the European Union that would let users forward notifications to non-Apple wearables, potentially narrowing one Apple Watch advantage in that market. (iClarified)
A public beta is a test version of software that Apple makes available before a wider release. It is meant to catch bugs and smooth out performance issues across different models and use cases, without waiting for the final build to ship.
The timing matters because software updates are one of Apple’s main levers to keep the watch positioned as a health-and-fitness device, not just an accessory. A bad update can show up fast — in battery complaints, glitches in workout tracking, or third‑party apps that stop behaving.
Mac Observer said the public beta carries build number 23S5600d and so far looks like a smaller update with few visible additions, leaning instead on bug fixes and tuning. To install it, users need the watch on a charger with at least 50% battery and must update through the Watch app on the iPhone, it reported. (The Mac Observer)
Apple’s developer releases page also lists watchOS 26.3 beta 2 as build 23S5600d, alongside the other 26.3 beta updates across its platforms. (Apple Developer)
watchOS 26, the current major version, added changes aimed at everyday use — including a new interface design and gestures such as a wrist flick to dismiss notifications, according to Apple’s watchOS site. (Apple)
The Apple Watch still competes in a crowded field. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch line, Google’s Pixel Watch and Garmin’s higher-end fitness watches all sell health tracking as a reason to upgrade, and they keep adding sensors and software features at a fast clip.
There is also the simple beta risk: pre‑release software can break things, drain batteries, and create issues that do not show up on final releases. Apple’s Beta Software Program tells testers to enroll devices to access these builds and send feedback through Apple’s tools. (Apple)
Beyond software quality, Apple Watch features have been shaped by legal fights. The U.S. International Trade Commission has weighed import restrictions tied to a patent dispute with medical monitoring company Masimo over blood‑oxygen measurement technology, Reuters has reported. (Reuters)
Apple has not set a public timetable for when watchOS 26.3 will be released to all users. For now, the update sits in testing — and what ships, and when, will depend on what Apple finds in the next round of fixes.
