Apple's Second iOS 26.3 Beta Arrives with Android Switching Tools and Wallpaper Tweaks
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Apple's Second iOS 26.3 Beta Arrives with Android Switching Tools and Wallpaper Tweaks

Smartphones Reporter
2 min read

The latest beta refines migration features and visual customization, hinting at a late-January public release as Apple continues to build toward a more significant Siri upgrade.

Apple has seeded the second beta of iOS 26.3 to developers, continuing its iterative approach to the winter software cycle. This release builds directly on the foundation laid by the first beta, which introduced a streamlined process for moving from Android to iPhone alongside subtle but meaningful changes to the Astronomy and Weather wallpaper galleries.

iOS 26.3 beta 2

The Android migration tool represents Apple's ongoing effort to reduce friction for switchers. While the initial beta offered a glimpse of this functionality, this second release likely includes polish and bug fixes based on early tester feedback. The feature sits alongside refinements to the system's visual personalization options, particularly in the dynamic wallpaper collections that leverage Apple's weather and astronomical data.

This update arrives just weeks after iOS 26.2 reached the public in December. That release brought broader changes, including new methods to customize Liquid Glass interface elements and expanded CarPlay customization options. The cadence suggests Apple is maintaining a steady drumbeat of incremental improvements rather than waiting for monolithic updates.

Apple releases second iOS 26.3 beta for iPhone - 9to5Mac

Looking at the timeline, iOS 26.3 appears positioned for a late January or early February public debut. This schedule gives Apple roughly a month to iterate through beta builds before general release.

More significant changes are reserved for later in the year. Apple is reportedly targeting iOS 26.4 for the debut of its substantially upgraded Siri voice assistant. This represents the first major leap in Siri's capabilities since the company announced its Apple Intelligence roadmap, and it will likely serve as a headlining feature for the spring update.

For now, beta testers can explore the refinements in 26.3 while the broader user base continues to settle into the December release. The steady pace of updates reflects Apple's strategy of maintaining momentum across its ecosystem, ensuring that even interim releases bring tangible value to daily iPhone use.

The second iOS 26.3 beta is available now through the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta expected to follow shortly.

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