Apple has released iOS 26.3 beta 3 and iPadOS 26.3 beta 3 to registered developers, continuing testing ahead of a public release expected later this month. The update arrives a week after beta 2 and is bundled with the iOS and iPadOS 26.2 SDK, which ships as part of Xcode 26.2 on the Mac App Store.
This beta is primarily about stability and validation rather than introducing new platform changes. Apple’s official release notes confirm that there are no new documented changes in iOS 26.3 beta 3, making it a maintenance-focused build for developers who are already testing apps against earlier 26.3 betas.
That said, iOS 26.3 itself still brings a few notable additions introduced in beta 1. The most significant change is a new system-level tool that makes it easier to move from an iPhone to an Android device. The transfer process is built directly into the setup flow, removing the need to download a separate app. Apple says the tool supports transferring photos, messages, notes, apps, passwords, phone number data, and more, positioning it as a more complete cross-platform migration option.
The update also introduces a Notification Forwarding setting for third-party wearables in the European Union, addressing regional requirements around interoperability. Alongside that, Apple has made small visual adjustments to the Astronomy and Weather wallpaper gallery, which have been gradually refined across the iOS 26.3 beta cycle.
Developers enrolled in the Apple Developer Program can download iOS 26.3 beta 3 and iPadOS 26.3 beta 3 directly from the Settings app by navigating to General and then Software Update on supported devices. The SDK included with Xcode 26.2 allows developers to test their apps against the latest APIs and ensure compatibility ahead of the public rollout.
Apple is widely expected to release iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 to the public by the end of January or in early February, following its usual cadence for mid-cycle updates. With no new changes listed in beta 3, this build likely signals that the software is nearing final release.
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