Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates to public beta testers, with the updates coming a day after Apple provided the third beta to developers.

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. The latest iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates add support for the new second-generation AirTag, including Precision Finding on Apple Watch.

iOS 26.3 also adds a new tool for transitioning from an iPhone to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app.

The update includes changes to third-party wearables in the European Union, with more information available in our iOS 26.3 beta 2 feature list following yesterday's release to developers.

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public at the end of January.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers

 

[ZipZilla]

waiting on RCS 3.0 to upgrade

 

[Black_Mage]

I’m looking forward to the (hopefully) positive feedback on this version.

 

[TMRJIJ]

I’m looking forward to the (hopefully) positive feedback on this version.

The feedback will be positive next year when everyone hates on iOS 27

 

[Dmoney77]

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 at the end of January? We are basically at the end of January so it’s not happening. I expect iOS 26.3 to be released either on Feb 2nd or Feb 9th latest.

 

[Tonykuv]

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 at the end of January? We are basically at the end of January so it’s not happening. I expect iOS 26.3 to be released either on Feb 2nd or Feb 9th latest.

Probably on Feb 9th

 

[HooverApp]

still waiting on the iMessage photos indexing fix.........
it has been months

 

[uniquestevejobs]

Its all about delaying 26.4 Beta period. This Shows that Apple needs more time to Perfection the new Siri

 

[Silverstring]

still waiting on the iMessage photos indexing fix.........
it has been months

I haven’t encountered this yet…can you describe the bug?

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

waiting on RCS 3.0 to upgrade

What's that

 

[ronno]

I’m looking forward to the (hopefully) positive feedback on this version.

I have put it on three different iPhone versions and it is far better than beta 2. Much smoother, less stuttery on older iPhones, improved battery life.

 

[Charcharius]

iPhone, iPad, and Watch have been fine on these new versions.
Crossover gaming with POE2 has been abysmal on this new version though - like 1/3 of the FPS I was getting on Beta 2. Yes, I've submitted feedback.

 

[Whocaresbro]

I haven’t encountered this yet…can you describe the bug?

The photos sent and received in iMessage do not show up in the photos tab when you click on the contact info where it says “info, background, photos, links”
Out of thousands of photos send between a contact and myself only a few show up.
I’ve been in contact with Apple several times, they say it’s a well known issue, and that they are aware. No fix for months now.
Basically, I cannot go to the photos tab to see what images I sent and received with any given contact.

 

[eleuthero]

No further updates improving touch-based multi-tasking? (I'm not ready to upgrade from iPadOS 18 still)

 

[rotvaldi]

No further updates improving touch-based multi-tasking? (I'm not ready to upgrade from iPadOS 18 still)

do not update until cook leaves.

 

[thelion7]

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates to public beta testers, with the updates coming a day after Apple provided the third beta to developers.

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. The latest iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and watchOS 26.3 updates add support for the new second-generation AirTag, including Precision Finding on Apple Watch.

iOS 26.3 also adds a new tool for transitioning from an iPhone to an Android device. Transfers can be initiated during the device setup process, and moving data from one device to another can now be done without having to download a specific app.

The update includes changes to third-party wearables in the European Union, with more information available in our iOS 26.3 beta 2 feature list following yesterday's release to developers.

Apple is expected to release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public at the end of January.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Third Betas of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to Public Beta Testers

I've commented previously to say that 26.3 has been the worst beta run for iOS 26 so far.

Updated my iPhone and iPad to 26.3 beta 3 and can confirm.

iPhone, seems a little bit better but nothing to write home about.

iPad, has been a night and day improvement. Beta 3 has made it so much more fluid when navigating the OS. However this comes with the caveat that of the two my iPad was suffering the most on betas 1 and 2.

Biggest issue on iPad seemed to be battery life as well but not had a chance to test if this has improved with Beta 3 or not.

Hopefully, we'll get 26.3 early Feb so we can then start testing 26.4 and Siri 2.0!

 

[maccuser]

I've commented previously to say that 26.3 has been the worst beta run for iOS 26 so far.

Updated my iPhone and iPad to 26.3 beta 3 and can confirm.

iPhone, seems a little bit better but nothing to write home about.

iPad, has been a night and day improvement. Beta 3 has made it so much more fluid when navigating the OS. However this comes with the caveat that of the two my iPad was suffering the most on betas 1 and 2.

Biggest issue on iPad seemed to be battery life as well but not had a chance to test if this has improved with Beta 3 or not.

Hopefully, we'll get 26.3 early Feb so we can then start testing 26.4 and Siri 2.0!

Does the beta 3 work with airtag 2.0?

 

[maccuser]

Does anyone know if 26.3 work with airtag 2.0?

 

[rotvaldi]

Does anyone know if 26.3 work with airtag 2.0?

I do think not yet probably RC next monday.

 

[thelion7]

Does the beta 3 work with airtag 2.0?

No idea, I only have first gen.

I’d assume so by now (as much as a beta can make things work)

If 26.2.1 allows them to work, the most recent 26.3 beta should now support it and if they don’t they definitely will by the time 26.3 is fully released.

 

[shardey]

The photos sent and received in iMessage do not show up in the photos tab when you click on the contact info where it says “info, background, photos, links”
Out of thousands of photos send between a contact and myself only a few show up.
I’ve been in contact with Apple several times, they say it’s a well known issue, and that they are aware. No fix for months now.
Basically, I cannot go to the photos tab to see what images I sent and received with any given contact.

I have also encountered this issue with iOS 16, 17 and 18. 26 being the worst by far.

 

[Pruus]

My battery life is shorter on this beta. Last beta was good. But this version drains my battery.🙁

 

[Cubbie36]

iOS 26.3 beta 3 was absolute garbage for battery life. I wasn't getting more than 8 hours before low power mode kicked in, and even then, it lasted only 2 more hours with little usage. So far, the GM of 26.3 seems to be slightly better on my iPhone 16 Pro Max. But it still isn't as good as the earlier gold master versions of iOS 26. Of course, Apple doesn't spend much time tuning the iOS versions for non-current iPhones.