Apple Nears iOS 26.3 Release Candidate, Beta 4 Unlikely
Apple’s iOS 26.3 development is approaching its final stages, with the latest beta 3 (build 23D5114d) released on January 26, 2026. This update follows previous betas in the iOS 26.3 series, which is part of Apple’s annual maintenance releases for the iPhone. It sits between iOS 26.2.1, which arrived late in January with bug fixes and AirTag support, and the expected iOS 26.4 release later this spring.
Given Apple’s typical beta release patterns, the absence of a beta 4 suggests that a Release Candidate (RC) is imminent. Historically, Apple releases three beta versions before transitioning to an RC, which serves as the final test version before the public release. This pattern indicates that Apple is nearing the completion of iOS 26.3 testing.
Key Developments in iOS 26.3:
– Enhanced Android-to-iPhone Transfer Settings: Apple has refined the settings to facilitate a smoother transition for users moving from Android devices to iPhones.
– Notification Forwarding to Third-Party Wearables: Users can now forward notifications to non-Apple wearable devices, expanding the ecosystem’s interoperability.
– Location Data Controls and EU Interoperability Support: New controls have been introduced to manage location data sharing, aligning with European Union regulations and enhancing user privacy.
– Continuity Features Issues in Beta 3: Beta 3 users reported disruptions in Continuity features, such as iPhone Mirroring, AirPlay mirroring to Apple TV 4K, Continuity Camera, and Sidecar. These issues primarily affect the latest hardware running Beta 3, including the iPhone 17 lineup, iPhone Air, and iPad Pro with M5. Apple is actively working to resolve these problems in the upcoming release.
The public release of iOS 26.3 is anticipated in February 2026. Following this, Apple is expected to commence beta testing for iOS 26.4, projected for release in March or April.
As of now, there is no official confirmation regarding the release of an iOS 26.3 beta 4. If Apple decides to issue one, developers and beta testers will find the new build available in the Software Update section of their device settings.
