Apple launched the final version of iOS 26.2 earlier this December, and the initial beta tests for iOS 26.3 are currently in progress, though you might consider delaying the installation of the first beta version of iOS 26.3 at this time. A majority of Apple’s development team is on holiday leave; the diminished workforce at the end of the year suggests that beta bug submissions may go unanswered and essential fixes could take longer to address.
iOS 26.4 is set to bring significant updates (including a completely new Siri voice assistant) when it arrives in Spring 2026, yet iOS 26.3 has more limited aspirations. Nonetheless, iOS 26.3 will serve as a crucial precursor to the major update; continue reading to discover what features it will offer and the timing of its release. While Apple previously restricted beta testing to members of the paid Apple Developer program, anyone with an Apple ID can now obtain beta iOS builds following the instructions available on Apple’s website. First, you’ll need to activate developer mode on your device through settings; this prepares your iPhone or iPad to utilize Xcode.
