iOS 26.3 could make it easier to switch to Android if you want


Apple and Google aren’t exactly known for working together, but they’ve been nicer in recent years, including to Apple. bring RCS to its Messages app. Now, the iOS 26.3 beta offers an option to simplify the switch from iPhone to Android.

The download page for iOS 26.3 public beta 1.

Apple/Screenshot by CNET

Apple released the first beta of iOS 26.3 In December, a few days after the company’s release iOS 26.2. This update included more ways to personalize your iPhone. Liquid glass design, and iOS 26.3 could make it easier to transfer your iPhone given to a Android device. Developers and public beta testers can now access this feature.

Since this is a beta version, I recommend downloading it on a device other than your primary device. This is not the final version of iOS 26.3, so the update may be buggy and have short battery life, and these issues are best kept on a secondary device.

Also remember that more features may be added to your iPhone when version 26.3 is officially released. It’s unclear when Apple’s update will be available to the general public, but it will likely be early 2026.

In the meantime, here are the features developers and beta testers can try now before Apple releases iOS 26.3.


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Transfer from iPhone to Android

The biggest change in the iOS 26.3 beta so far is an easy way to transfer your data from an iPhone to an Android device.

If you’ve been considering switching from iPhone to Android, you may have been deterred by the transfer process. Android offers a five-step process to make this change easier, but some of the steps include preparing your device by turning off FaceTime and Messages and connecting the two devices using a cable.

With the iOS 26.3 beta comes a new option to connect your iPhone and Android devices.

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or reset iPhone. At the bottom of this page is an option called Transfer to Android. Tap it and follow the on-screen instructions to transfer photos, messages, apps and more to your Android device.

The Transfer or Reset iPhone menu with Transfer to Android circled in red.

Transferring data from your iPhone to Android might be easier in iOS 26.3.

Apple/CNET

Transferring notifications to other devices

The first beta of iOS 26.3 also introduces the ability to push notifications to other devices, like non-Apple Watch smartwatches. If you prefer the Galaxy Watch 8 newer Apple Watchesyou can use it with your iPhone.

You can access it by going to Settings > Notifications > Notification forwarding.

The notification transfer menu in iOS 26.3 public beta 1.

You may soon be able to use other smartwatches, like the Galaxy Watch 8, with your iPhone.

Apple/CNET

“Notifications can be delivered to one accessory at a time,” Apple writes in the menu description. “Notifications will not appear on Apple Watch when notification forwarding is enabled.”

These are just some of the new features that developers and public beta testers can try right now with the first public beta of iOS 26.3. There will likely be more beta versions before the operating system is released to the public, so Apple has plenty of time to refine these features and add more. Again, Apple has not confirmed when it will release iOS 26.3 to the general public.

For more iOS news, here’s everything you need to know iOS 26.2the new features included in iOS 26.1 And my opinion on iOS 26. You can also view our iOS 26 Cheat Sheet.

Watch this: The best technology we saw at CES 2026





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