iOS 26.3 Beta: Transfer to Android and EU Changes

• Transfer to Android lets iPhones wirelessly migrate photos, messages, apps, and phone numbers to Android devices.
• Notification Forwarding enables iPhone alerts to appear on third‑party smartwatches in the EU only.
• New EU interoperability tools: proximity pairing, expanded NFC roles, and high‑bandwidth peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi.
• Small UI tweaks: Weather and Astronomy wallpapers split into separate sections.

What iOS 26.3 brings

Apple’s iOS 26.3 beta focuses on cross‑platform interoperability and compliance with new EU rules. The headline features are a Transfer to Android system and Notification Forwarding for third‑party wearables, plus several connectivity changes aimed at developers in Europe.

Transfer to Android: easier switching

The new Transfer to Android flow lets an iPhone and an Android device connect wirelessly to move data such as photos, messages, notes and apps. Apple says the system will also migrate the user’s phone number to the new device.

The feature is the result of a collaboration between Apple and Google to simplify switching between platforms. Apple warns that sensitive items — including Health data, paired Bluetooth devices and locked notes — are excluded from the transfer for privacy and security reasons.

Notification Forwarding for third‑party wearables

iOS 26.3 introduces Notification Forwarding, which can send iPhone notifications to a single non‑Apple accessory at a time. “Notifications can be forwarded to one accessory at a time,” Apple states, and notes that while forwarding is active, alerts will not appear on Apple Watch.

You can enable the option from Settings → Notifications. For now, Notification Forwarding is limited to EU users as Apple adapts to the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

EU‑specific interoperability tools

Proximity pairing and NFC enhancements

To meet DMA requirements, Apple added proximity pairing similar to AirPods for third‑party accessories. New NFC capabilities allow an iPhone to initiate interactions with connected devices even when the device is not present, opening new possibilities for accessory makers.

High‑bandwidth peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi

iOS 26.3 enables a high‑bandwidth peer‑to‑peer Wi‑Fi mode that powers faster device discovery and data transfer — a backbone for the new Android/iPhone switching and accessory interoperability.

The European Commission welcomed the changes, saying: “New opportunities are brought to European users as result of the DMA implementation work,” and noted the beta features should be fully available in Europe during 2026.

Smaller tweaks and timing

Apple also split the Weather and Astronomy wallpapers into separate gallery sections and added a few new Weather wallpapers that reflect live local conditions.

The update is currently in beta and Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26.3 to the public in late January. Features may change during the beta period as Apple and partners refine interoperability and privacy safeguards.

Bottom line

iOS 26.3 is a compliance‑driven release that opens iPhone interoperability with Android and third‑party accessories in Europe while keeping a cautious approach to sensitive data. Expect more refinements as the beta progresses.