iOS 26.3 Adds Notification Forwarding Option for Third-Party Wearables

[MacRumors]

iOS 26.3 adds a new "Notification Forwarding" setting that allows incoming notifications on an iPhone to be forwarded to a third-party device.

The setting is located in the Notification section of the Settings app under a new "Notification Forwarding" option. Apple says that notifications can only be forwarded to a single device at a time, so if Notification Forwarding is enabled with a third-party wearable, the Apple Watch won't able to receive and display notifications.

Users can choose to have a device receive notifications only from selected apps rather than all apps, and notifications will include the name of the app and all content contained in the notification. This is a feature that is only available to those living in Europe.

Apple is adding this feature to relieve regulatory pressure that it is facing. The Digital Markets Act in the European Union requires Apple to provide third-party smartwatches and other devices with access to notifications and features that are normally reserved for the Apple Watch.

Update: This article was updated to clarify that Notification Forwarding is only an option in the EU, even though it shows up on iPhones worldwide in iOS 26.3.


Article Link: iOS 26.3 Adds Notification Forwarding Option for Third-Party Wearables

 

[Fraud Goblin]

If this is just another step to allowing me to use a Pebble again, I’ll take it.

 

[Dormammu]

Good!

 

[turbineseaplane]

Sounds good!
The more of this sort of stuff, the better.

I'd also not that we have EU and US opposition to where Apple is at here.
(bold emphasis below is mine)

The Digital Markets Act in the European Union requires Apple to provide third-party smartwatches and other devices with access to notifications and features that are normally reserved for the Apple Watch.

Apple's limited support of third-party devices has also been targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice in the antitrust case that Apple is fighting. The DoJ has accused Apple of preventing third-party smartwatches from offering Apple Watch-like functionality by restricting them from acting on incoming notifications.

 

[Dr McKay]

Sounds good!
The more of this sort of stuff, the better.

I'd also not that we have EU and US opposition to where Apple is at here.
(bold emphasis below is mine)

Clearly Apple should pull out of the USA and the EU! 😡

 

[turbineseaplane]

Clearly Apple should pull out of the USA and the EU! 😡

There's always the Moon 🌕
Apple Stores nicely fit that cold gray aesthetic.

 

[Starfia]

Apple is adding this feature to relieve worldwide regulatory pressure that it is facing.

Juli – is there a statement or quote from Apple staff confirming this, or is it speculation?

 

[thekeyring]

Wild that when Apple introduced Watch people said notifications weren't a big deal, and now they argue that they're such a big deal they deserve anti-competitive scrutiny.

 

[Eureka20]

If this is just another step to allowing me to use a Pebble again, I’ll take it.

I miss my Pebble--I was so sad to see that company go away.

 

[klasma]

Juli – is there a statement or quote from Apple staff confirming this, or is it speculation?

I'd assume it's in the beta that dropped today.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I miss my Pebble--I was so sad to see that company go away.

Pebble is back! Sorta..

The Finest In Wearable Gadgets

Get a new Pebble smartwatch or ring right here

repebble.com

 

[klasma]

Apple should add a Notification History feature. If a third-party device can provide that functionality, I'll take it.

 

[HouseLannister]

So does it do anything yet or does it need Google, Samsung, etc. to do something on their end? If it is as simple as just bluetooth pair a WearOS watch to an iPhone and you are done, that's great.

 

[HouseLannister]

There's always the Moon 🌕

And then if they don't like Earth's regulations, they can throw rocks at them!
(Congrats if anyone gets that reference)

 

[DhobiWanKenobi]

My Garmin already receives notifications from my iPhone, including the content of the notification - I can't see what this feature actually adds apart from making app-specific notification choices?

 

[cybercommand]

Lame. Maybe these other companies need to create better software and hardware to compete against Apple. It’s not Apple‘s problem if someone can’t get a notification on a non-Apple device.

 

[Gabebear]

My Garmin already receives notifications from my iPhone, including the content of the notification - I can't see what this feature actually adds apart from making app-specific notification choices?

Apple has supported ANCS for more than a decade(not sure how much more... but a LONG while). ANCS doesn't require any app on the phone and will just forward notifications after getting approval when pairing with the Bluetooth device.

Apple is being required by the EU to open up ALL information about notifications, this is part of that. ANCS doesn't send images and longer text to bluetooth devices. It seems the EU also wants apps to be able to directly read notifications from other apps... which is ****ing dumb and really really creepy.

 

[ItsASpider]

Apple has supported ANCS for more than a decade(not sure how much more... but a LONG while). ANCS doesn't require any app on the phone and will just forward notifications after getting approval when pairing with the Bluetooth device.

Apple is being required by the EU to open up ALL information about notifications, this is part of that. ANCS doesn't send images and longer text to bluetooth devices. It seems the EU also wants apps to be able to directly read notifications from other apps... which is ****ing dumb and really really creepy.

Come on now... the EU doesn't require any such thing. They require Apple to provide APIs to allow their competition to, well, compete. Apple is completely free in implementing safe ways to do that, and no, not every apps must have direct access to notifications from other apps, that's just bs.

And I'll just assume you are already well aware that you are greatly misrepresenting what ANCS can do.

 

[AppliedMicro]

It’s not Apple‘s problem if someone can’t get a notification on a non-Apple device.

Thanks to regulatory action, it now is. 😎

Maybe these other companies need to create better software and hardware to compete against Apple

That’s exactly what this functionality now enables them to do.

 

[Gabebear]

Come on now... the EU doesn't require any such thing. They require Apple to provide APIs to allow their competition to, well, compete. Apple is completely free in implementing safe ways to do that, and no, not every apps must have direct access to notifications from other apps, that's just bs.

And I'll just assume you are already well aware that you are greatly misrepresenting what ANCS can do.

What does ANCS do that the EU is wanting Apple to add besides images?

What I'd like added to ANCS is a better way to respond to notifications than just an "OK" or "Cancel" like ANCS already does, but the EU/DMA actually isn't requiring that you can respond to notifications...just make them look prettier...

 

[mnls]

New features, more bugs.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Notification forwarding barely works on Apple Watch itself. Without a companion app, which fewer developers are making, your options are basically "dismiss."

Same with third party voip apps, calls can't be handled or even notified unless they come from Phone.

Maybe this will encourage Apple to make notifications better on their own device?

 

[cartmn]

Maybe this will encourage Apple to make notifications better on their own device?

Exactly what EU is also trying to achieve to push Apple to be even better with the competition, rather than just blocking everyone else and sitting duck on basic features.

 

[cartmn]

Apple is being required by the EU to open up ALL information about notifications, this is part of that

Just read the DMA document first.. And would be also helpful for you to read about ANCS and how sh*tty it is... before spreading the Apple propaganda here...

BTW, DMA decision document also covers the ANCS arguments from Apple...

 

[erikkfi]

Ugh, Apple should've just left the European market instead of giving in to these overzealous regulators, amirite folks?