Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Releases First iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 Public Betas

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
70,510
42,200


Apple today provided beta testers with the first releases of upcoming iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates for testing purposes. The public betas come a couple of days after Apple provided the betas to developers.

iOS-26.3-Feature.jpg

Anyone can download and install public betas, and all that's required is to sign up on Apple's beta site. Once you've opted in, the software can be downloaded through the Software Update section in the Settings app on each device.

iOS 26.3 introduces a simpler way for iPhone users to transfer their data to an Android device when switching platforms, plus it includes a Notification Forwarding feature for third-party wearables in the European Union. It will allow notifications to be forwarded from the iPhone to a third-party device.

No new features have been found in the other beta updates as of yet.

We're expecting iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and the other software to come out somewhere around the end of January.

Article Link: Apple Releases First iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 Public Betas
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/17/apple-releases-ios-26-3-public-beta-1/
Last edited:
N0ughtsAndCr0sses said:
Nice. At least they’re moving fast.

Can’t complain there 🤣🤣
Click to expand...
After X.3 beta 1 in mid-December, Apple typically doesn’t post beta 2 until the second or third week of January.

So it might not seem fast when folks who’ve installed this beta are waiting for the next one.
 
Probs install on my iPads but will hold off on the betas for iPhone and watch as they won’t release the next until the new year.
 
Battery life on my new A16 iPad is noticeably worse than on my A13 iPad. The A16 came with iPadOS 26, the A13 is still on iPadOS 18. The A16 is quicker as expected, but I hope Apple can better optimize the battery life.

The Tinted option make Liquid Glass tolerable, but I wouldn't say it was in any way better than the UI in 18.

Now pardon me while I put the A16 on the charger.
 
Siliconguy said:
Battery life on my new A16 iPad is noticeably worse than on my A13 iPad. The A16 came with iPadOS 26, the A13 is still on iPadOS 18. The A16 is quicker as expected, but I hope Apple can better optimize the battery life.

The Tinted option make Liquid Glass tolerable, but I wouldn't say it was in any way better than the UI in 18.

Now pardon me while I put the A16 on the charger.
Click to expand...
Battery life can’t be optimised more, cuz liquid glass takes a lot of calculations from the graphics processor, which in turn loads the battery
 
  • Like
Reactions: ifxf
mooman said:
First actually exciting update in a while. As user of non Apple Watches the notification forwarding is a big deal.
Click to expand...

Non-Apple watches already get iPhone notifications. Only difference, that I'm seeing, is you can select which to get and which to not. Currently, it's all or nothing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: turbineseaplane
I’ve opted out of the 26.3 beta on all devices. It’s pointless and I don’t feel like installing updates every other week until 26.3 is released. If the promised Siri improvements make their debut in the iOS 26.4 beta then I’ll sign right back up on all devices. Here’s to hoping after all of these years they finally deliver their promises, but at this point I’ll believe it when I actually experience it in beta form.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reeneman
CATiNTHESTORE said:
Battery life can’t be optimised more, cuz liquid glass takes a lot of calculations from the graphics processor, which in turn loads the battery
Click to expand...
Right and wrong… I guess there are most often some ways to improve those things further and make it less demanding.
 
Macaholic868 said:
I’ve opted out of the 26.3 beta on all devices. It’s pointless and I don’t feel like installing updates every other week until 26.3 is released. If the promised Siri improvements make their debut in the iOS 26.4 beta then I’ll sign right back up on all devices. Here’s to hoping after all of these years they finally deliver their promises, but at this point I’ll believe it when I actually experience it in beta form.
Click to expand...
Same here. Excited for 26.4 and I’m very curious how this will work. Even how the Gemenini model will perform on device, as this was one of their main promises to have these AI features also running on device and not fully depending on a server connection.
Let’s see. Could be an exciting time or another disappointment.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Macaholic868
I know this is a beta but I feel this is the roughest 26 beta I’ve been on since 26’s release.

All 26.1 and 26.2 betas seemed fine overall.

Now we’re in the new year, I hope 26.3 beta 2 drops next week 😂

How has 26.3 beta 1 been for you guys?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back