About a week ago, Apple released the test version of iOS 26.3. When the finished update appears in 2026, it will make iPhones a bit more open. There was now praise from the EU for this.
Update (December 23, 2025): The EU Commission has praised Apple for its efforts to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). According to MacRumors, this refers to two new features that iOS 26.3 will soon introduce. On the one hand, there is the “Notification Forwarding” for smartwatches that do not come from Apple, which is described later in this article. On the other hand, third-party Bluetooth headphones will in future be able to be connected to iPhones just as easily as AirPods.
Original article:
With iOS 26.3, something is happening outside of the Apple cosmos. In the future you will find it in the settings under “General | Transfer or reset iPhone”. new “Transfer to Android” option. The function should Switching from iOS to an Android smartphone easier make. To do this, you have to place both devices next to each other, activate Bluetooth and follow the procedure shown. A connection via QR code or session ID is also possible. Photos, messages, apps or your phone number can be transferred, among other things. However, health data or locked notes remain on the iPhone.
Apple’s best headphones
Apple AirPods Pro 3
The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s best in-ears. With twice as good ANC as before, heart rate sensor for fitness tracking, more battery life, water protection and premium sound.
- Apple’s current top headphones
iPhone notifications for other smartwatches
The second innovation concerns users who have a Wear a non-Apple smartwatch. Sounds big at first: iOS 26.3 brings a new setting called “Notification Forwarding” with which you can forward targeted messages from the iPhone to another wearable. But wait – many third-party smartwatches like those from Garmin receive haven’t you had iPhone notifications for a while?
True. So what’s new? Probably the way the redirect works – and what you can do with it. Until now, the experience was often limited to simple hints that you could only wipe away. iOS 26.3 could allow deeper interactions for the first time, like this Reply to messages or specific app actions directly on your wrist. This hasn’t been fully confirmed yet, but the evidence points in this direction.
Apple only allows one connected device to be forwarded, and you can customize which apps are allowed to let their messages through. The The full message text including the app name is sent along – this makes the messages much more useful.
Why does this whole thing even happen? Quite simply: the EU is taking a closer look. The new feature is one direct response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which demands more openness from Apple. That’s why the feature only seems to be intended for users in Europe.
Just the beginning?
Apple has long treated iOS like a fortress, especially when it came to third-party hardware. The fact that this is now changing is a small concession – but one with a signal effect. If you prefer to wear a different smartwatch or want to switch from iOS to Android, things are a lot easier with iOS 26.3. And maybe that’s just the beginning.
Also interesting
Transparency:We use so-called affiliate links. If you buy something, we may receive a commission. You don’t pay a cent extra for this, but you support the work of the CURVED editorial team.
About the Author
