iOS 26.1 beta 1 arrived earlier this week with a variety of new features and changes, including indications that Apple is working toward the iPhone adding third-party smartwatch support.
- iOS 26.1 beta 1 arrived earlier this week.
- Apple is working toward third-party smartwatch support.
- Notification Forwarding will show notifications on non-Apple devices.
- Improved smartwatch compatibility may arrive in a later update.
- The EU pushed Apple for better accessory interoperability.
- Features may be limited to specific territories.
The latest iOS beta code includes an unreleased feature called Notification Forwarding, which will let users choose to show notifications from their iPhone on another non-Apple device or accessory. This feature can be enabled in Settings.
One of the strings found in the code suggests that notifications can only be forwarded to “one accessory at a time,” and that enabling this option disables notifications on the Apple Watch. References to new frameworks related to accessory pairing, such as “AccessoryExtension,” indicate an easier method for pairing third-party accessories to iPhone.
According to Filipe Esposito, Apple may not actually offer improved smartwatch compatibility in iOS 26.1. Instead, it’s more likely to arrive in a later update, but Apple is laying the groundwork in its code now.
It is unclear if the new features like Notification Forwarding will be available for all users globally or limited to territories where legislation requires it. The EU, for example, has pushed Apple to improve interoperability of the iPhone with third-party accessories like smartwatches.
Just as EU users currently have access to territory-restricted features such as the ability to sideload apps and third-party app marketplaces, improved smartwatch compatibility may also be limited to the EU.
Originally reported by 9to5mac.com as “iOS 26.1 hints at iPhone adding support for third-party smartwatches” on 2025-09-24 19:16:00.
