iOS 26.3 is in beta and expected in late January 2026. Here’s what’s new (Transfer to Android, EU wearables & pairing), plus leaked iOS 26.4/iOS 27 plans.
As 2025 closes out, Apple’s next iPhone software milestone—iOS 26.3—is starting to come into focus. The update is already in beta, and today’s reporting points to an early-2026 public rollout with a surprisingly clear theme: interoperability. That means easier switching between iPhone and Android, and (for Europe) less of the classic “walled garden” when it comes to pairing and notifications. [1]
At the same time, a separate wave of roadmap reporting—based on an alleged internal build—suggests Apple’s bigger moves may land later, with iOS 26.4 and even iOS 27. If the leak is accurate, the “big” Siri and Health changes aren’t meant for 26.3 at all. [2]
Below is what’s known, what’s likely, and what’s still speculation as of December 28, 2025.
What’s new today (Dec. 28, 2025): the headlines shaping iOS 26.3
Today’s coverage clusters around two storylines:
- iOS 26.3 is tracking for early 2026, with beta testing underway and features aimed at smoother cross-platform use—especially a built-in “Transfer to Android” function and expanded wearable support tied to EU requirements. [3]
- In parallel, some outlets are re-highlighting Apple’s recent emergency security patches for WebKit vulnerabilities used in targeted attacks—an important reminder that while iOS 26.3 is the next feature update, the most urgent update is always the most recent security release you haven’t installed yet. [4]
When is iOS 26.3 coming out?
Apple has not announced a public release date for iOS 26.3, but the release pattern for Apple’s “x.3” updates is one of the more predictable rhythms in the iPhone calendar.
The best current prediction: late January 2026 (with Jan. 26 a common target)
Multiple reports that analyze Apple’s historical timing point to late January 2026, with Monday, January 26, 2026 frequently cited as the most likely landing spot (while acknowledging it could slip by a day or two—or into early February). [5]
What Apple has confirmed indirectly: the beta timeline
Apple’s own Developer “Releases” page shows iOS 26.3 beta appeared on December 15, 2025, following iOS 26.2 on December 12, 2025—a cadence that strongly supports a public release window in late January. [6]
iOS 26.3 so far: three themes (and why they matter)
Early betas can change fast, but the first wave of reporting is consistent: iOS 26.3 is shaping up as a smaller “quality-of-life + compliance” update, not a massive redesign.
1) Transfer to Android: Apple and Google make switching less painful
The clearest “headline” feature is a new Transfer to Android option designed to reduce friction when leaving iPhone. Reporting describes a more direct process to move data such as photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, and phone number information—with some limitations (for example, certain categories like Health data and protected/locked items may not transfer). [7]
This matters for two reasons:
- It’s a notable philosophical shift: Apple historically hasn’t optimized the “goodbye” experience.
- It also fits a broader interoperability push that’s increasingly influenced by regulators (especially in the EU). [8]
2) A small but visible refresh: wallpapers and Weather organization
Several reports describe a modest UI refresh in the wallpaper gallery—specifically splitting “Weather” and “Astronomy” into clearer sections and adding additional options. [9]
Separately, BGR reports Apple is expected to include a Unity wallpaper around January as part of a seasonal release rhythm. [10]
3) EU-only interoperability: third‑party pairing + wearable notifications
If you’re in the European Union, iOS 26.3 could feel bigger than it looks on paper.
a) AirPods-like proximity pairing (EU)
MacRumors reports iOS 26.3 adds proximity pairing capabilities for third‑party accessories—so certain devices (like earbuds) can pair in a more AirPods-like “bring close, tap once” flow—rather than the multi-step Bluetooth ritual. [11]
TechRadar echoes the point and emphasizes the big catch: it’s driven by EU regulation and doesn’t apply worldwide. [12]
b) Notification Forwarding to third‑party wearables (EU)
MacRumors reports iOS 26.3 adds a “Notification Forwarding” setting that can forward iPhone notifications to a third-party device, with an important constraint: only one connected device can receive forwarded notifications at a time, and enabling it for a third-party wearable can disable Apple Watch notifications. [13]
9to5Mac adds detail on how Apple appears to be implementing it in the beta, including the per‑app controls and the broader political context: Apple has framed the EU notification mandate as a privacy/security concern. [14]
c) More EU plumbing under the hood
BGR also points to EU-specific additions beyond just pairing and notifications—such as high-bandwidth peer-to-peer Wi‑Fi connections and new NFC-related connectivity features tied to DMA compliance. [15]
Why this is happening: the EU’s DMA is reshaping iPhone behavior (in Europe first)
The European Commission has explicitly praised the iOS 26.3 interoperability direction, and MacRumors notes that EU regulators are crediting the Digital Markets Act with opening “new opportunities” for users and developers. [16]
The practical implication is simple:
- Some iOS features will now ship regionally, with Europe effectively becoming Apple’s most heavily regulated iPhone environment.
- Even when a feature appears in iOS worldwide, it may be fully functional only in the EU (as reporting around Notification Forwarding suggests). [17]
The bigger story: what the roadmap claims about iOS 26.4 and iOS 27
This is where the conversation shifts from “beta features we can see” to “plans Apple might be testing internally.”
BGR summarizes a roadmap based on what Macworld reports it saw in an internal iOS 26 build—flagging iOS 26.3 as relatively modest, with larger changes queued for later releases. [18]
iOS 26.4: the leak points to Siri + Health upgrades (and more)
According to Macworld’s report (as summarized and echoed in multiple places), iOS 26.4 may include:
- A revamped Siri experience (long-rumored “all‑new Siri” work)
- A Health+ subscription concept that uses AI to answer questions based on Health data
- Credit-card Autofill improvements for third-party apps
- A folder system for Freeform
- A possible Apple TV “Sports Tier”
- Additional Apple Account/iCloud security checks to verify device integrity
- New emoji (often saved for “x.4” updates) [19]
Important caveat: internal builds are not promises. Features can be postponed, reworked, or cut entirely before public release. [20]
iOS 27: Photos and AirPods changes—and more DMA obligations (EU)
Macworld’s roadmap reporting (as relayed by BGR) also claims Apple is already working on iOS 27 changes such as:
- Improved Photos collections
- An updated AirPods pairing system [21]
And for European users, additional DMA-driven requirements are mentioned, including broader background-task access for third-party apps and an AirDrop alternative. [22]
Don’t miss the “critical update” angle: iOS 26.2 security fixes are the urgent install
While iOS 26.3 is the next “feature” milestone, Apple’s security notes for iOS 26.2 describe WebKit vulnerabilities where Apple says it is aware of reports of exploitation in an “extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals” on versions of iOS before iOS 26. [23]
If you’re delaying updates, this is the part you shouldn’t ignore—especially because WebKit impacts Safari and, effectively, web content handling across iOS.
Practical takeaway: update to the latest public iOS version available on your device today, then track iOS 26.3’s feature rollout as it approaches. [24]
Should you install iOS 26.3 beta right now?
If your iPhone is your primary daily driver, caution is still the sensible default.
BGR specifically warns that iOS 26.3 beta 1 may be a poor choice for average users—partly because holiday timing can mean longer gaps between beta builds, leaving early bugs unresolved longer than usual. [25]
If you do test betas:
- Use a secondary device if possible.
- Back up first.
- Expect battery and app glitches.
- Remember: EU-specific features may not behave the same outside the EU.
Context: what iOS 26 already introduced (and why iOS 26.3 feels “smaller”)
Apple positions iOS 26 around headline capabilities like the Liquid Glass design language, on-device intelligence features, Live Translation, and messaging and calling improvements. [26]
That backdrop makes the iOS 26.3 direction feel consistent: less about changing the look of iPhone again, more about smoothing everyday workflows—and meeting regulatory requirements without re-architecting the entire OS in public.
What to watch next (from now through late January)
Here’s the short list of signals that will matter most as iOS 26.3 approaches release:
- Additional beta drops: whether Apple expands the feature list beyond the current “top three.”
- Public beta availability: Apple typically broadens testing beyond developers as the cycle matures. [27]
- EU implementation details: how seamless third‑party pairing and notification forwarding actually are in real life.
- Any Apple confirmation: release notes, newsroom updates, or support documentation that clarifies what’s regional vs global.
References
1. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 2. www.bgr.com, 3. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 4. nypost.com, 5. 9to5mac.com, 6. developer.apple.com, 7. www.bgr.com, 8. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 9. www.tomsguide.com, 10. www.bgr.com, 11. www.macrumors.com, 12. www.techradar.com, 13. www.macrumors.com, 14. 9to5mac.com, 15. www.bgr.com, 16. www.macrumors.com, 17. www.macrumors.com, 18. www.bgr.com, 19. www.macworld.com, 20. www.macworld.com, 21. www.bgr.com, 22. www.bgr.com, 23. support.apple.com, 24. support.apple.com, 25. www.bgr.com, 26. www.apple.com, 27. 9to5mac.com
