Overview
- Apple seeded the first 26.3 developer betas on December 15 for iOS and iPadOS (build 23D5089e) alongside macOS Tahoe, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS and HomePod software, with public betas expected to follow.
- The 26.3 wave arrives three days after Apple’s public 26.2 releases, which added Reminders urgent alarms, adjustable Liquid Glass lock screen transparency, offline Apple Music lyrics, updated sleep scoring, and AirDrop 30‑day verification codes.
- Apple says iOS 26.2 addressed more than 20 security vulnerabilities, including two WebKit flaws exploited in the wild, a level of urgency that coincided with a rare Friday rollout.
- Early reports from 26.3 code analysis point to tools for easier iPhone–Android switching and an option to forward iPhone notifications to third‑party wearables, though these findings are not yet confirmed by Apple.
- Reporters and analysts expect 26.3 to focus on fixes and stability, with a broader iOS 26.4 update rumored for spring 2026 that could deliver a major Siri upgrade.