Apple made the first betas of iOS 26.3 and macOS 26.3 available to anyone interested in testing them on Wednesday. This comes two days after developers got access to these betas, and less than a week after the final 26.2 versions went out to users around the world.
The same goes for iPadOS 26.3 beta 1, watchOS 26.3 beta 1, tvOS 26.3 beta 1 and visionOS 26.3 beta 1.
First iOS 26.3 and macOS Tahoe 26.3 betas go out to developers
Apple never stands still when it comes to software development, continuously working on future versions of its operating systems. While iOS 26.2 only launched on December 12, the company already moved ahead with beta testing for iOS 26.3. That’s also true for macOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, and so on.
Developers found that iOS 26.3 will make it easier to switch to Android, there are tweaks to wallpapers, and a few other small changes. Apple doesn’t make discovering new features easy — there’s no simple list sent to developers of what to test in iOS 26.3 beta 1. But we compiled our own list of modifications.
Plus, we know some of what’s going on behind the scenes. Apple is very hard at work finishing up work on the AI-enhanced version of Siri that is still scheduled to launch in spring 2026.
Also, the upcoming iOS version needs to be ready for the iPhone 17e when it arrives. While the M5 MacBook Air will supposedly launch running macOS Tahoe 26.2, future MacBook variants with the Apple M5 Pro and Max processors are supposed to debut with macOS 26.3.
Not just for developers anymore
iOS 26.3 beta 1, iOS 26.3 beta 1, iPadOS 26.3 beta 1, watchOS 26.3 beta 1, tvOS 26.3 beta 1 and visionOS 26.3 beta 1 can be downloaded starting Wednesday by anyone in the Apple Beta Software Program. Registered members of Apple’s developer program got access on Monday, as noted.
The following second round of betas might be out next week, or Apple could hold off for two weeks… though the Christmas and New Year’s holidays could throw that schedule off. The wait could stretch all the way to 2026.
A full non-beta release of iOS 26.3, macOS 26.3, etc. isn’t likely before February 2026, though a January debut is possible.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
