Apple made the third betas of iOS 26.3 and macOS 26.3 available to developers on Monday. This comes two weeks after the second round, double the usual time between new versions.
The same goes for iPadOS 26.3 beta 3, watchOS 26.3 beta 3, tvOS 26.3 beta 3 and visionOS 26.3 beta 3.
Third 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. After iOS 26.2 launched on December 12, the company quickly moved ahead with beta testing for iOS 26.3 the next week. That’s also true for macOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 and so on.
But developing the final versions is taking extra time, even considering the expected delay caused by the Christmas/New Years holidays. The second round of betas came in January 12, but the third didn’t emerge until Monday, January 26.
Plus, the code names for the latest iOS, macOS, etc. betas in end D, C or B . None of them end in A, which would be an indication that beta testing is wrapping up. As it is, it seems there’s weeks more of testing ahead before the launch of iOS 26.3, macOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3 and the rest.
With the third betas so new, it’s not yet known what has changed. 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 3, for example.
Still, we compiled our own list of modifications in the initial beta from December. iOS 26.3 will make it easier to switch to Android, there are tweaks to wallpapers and a few other small changes. Beta 2 didn’t seem to include new features, just bug fixes.
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.
Earlier in January, Apple did the initial test of Background Security Improvements, which will eventually allow security patches to be distributed separately from software updates.
Just for developers
iOS 26.3 beta 3, iOS 26.3 beta 3, iPadOS 26.3 beta 3, watchOS 26.3 beta 3, tvOS 26.3 beta 3 and visionOS 26.3 beta 3 can be downloaded starting Monday by registered members of Apple’s developer program.
Anyone in the Apple Beta Software Program has to wait for access, though probably for not more than a day or so.
The following fourth round of betas are likely to be out next week. A full non-beta release of iOS 26.3, macOS 26.3, etc. can be expected around mid-February, a week after release candidates finally emerge.
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.
