Aamir Siddiqui / Android Authority

TL;DR Apple could finally fix existing limitations with third-party watches, allowing notifications to work more efficiently.

A new notifications feature has been discovered in iOS 26.1 beta’s code, indicating broader support for watches, fitness trackers, and accessories with screens.

While it could mean watches from brands like Garmin or Huawei work well with iPhones, it’s less likely to benefit Wear OS devices.

The Apple Watch has long been cherished for its seamless integration with the iPhone. While you can still pair other third-party watches or smart fitness trackers with an iPhone, these devices have limited functionality compared to when used with Android devices. And that’s likely to change with iOS 26, which could bring improved integration for non-Apple wearables, such as the reborn Pebble watches.

As spotted in the iOS 26.1 beta source code by Macworld, Apple is working on a feature called “Notification Forwarding” for non-Apple wearables and other accessories. From what it seems, the feature, when it lands on iPhone models compatible with iOS 26, will relay notifications from the iPhone onto different devices.

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While notifications can already be sent to third-party wearables or fitness trackers, the iPhone currently prevents users from responding to notifications, such as sending text messages, or even silencing or dismissing iPhone notifications directly from the watch. To make things worse, notifications only relay properly if the iPhone is either unlocked or the lock screen has been given permission to show notification content, even when the iPhone is locked. This approach is clearly restrictive and has even led to a class action lawsuit against Apple.

Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority

The upcoming feature could change that, allowing users to interact more freely with notifications even when they pay a premium for the Apple Watch. However, this functionality might only work with a single device at a time. For instance, if you connect a Garmin or a Pebble watch, any Apple Watch previously connected to the iPhone will disconnect automatically.

Additional details found by Macworld indicate that iOS 26 could also simplify the pairing process for non-Apple smartwatches. This will be facilitated by a new framework called “AccessoryExtension,” which is currently under development. However, there is no certainty as to when — and even if — this feature will arrive anytime soon.

If you think Apple has had a sudden change of heart, we beg to differ. These changes are likely being brought in anticipation of the European Union’s directives for Apple. Earlier this year, the EU shared a list of nine features that Apple must implement to enable interoperability with non-Apple devices in compliance with the region’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Failing to do so will label Apple as a “gatekeeper” and make it liable for fines up to 10% of its annual global turnover.

It remains to be seen how Apple implements these changes and how that impacts both users and developers. It is also worth exploring whether Apple might limit these features just to the EU or extend them to the entire world, and we’ll only know when — and if — they go live. If there’s one thing we’re more certain about, it’s that Apple might still exclude support for smartwatches running Wear OS, edging out genuine Apple Watch contenders from Google and Samsung.

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Apple may be working on improving iPhone support for third-party smartwatches, Macworld reports, citing the iOS 26.1 beta 1 code.

The latest code mentions a new feature called Notification Forwarding. It can be used to forward notifications from your iPhone to a third-party device or accessory and needs to be enabled from Settings. A string in the code says notifications can only be forwarded to “one accessory at a time,” and that accessory can’t be the Apple Watch.

The code also mentions a new framework called “AccessoryExtension.” Though incomplete, the framework could hint at improved pairing for third-party devices, Macworld reports.

It’s no secret that the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) is forcing Apple to open up its devices and services to third-party providers. Last year, after a long-drawn battle, it was compelled to allow third-party app marketplaces on iPhones for the first time.

Earlier this year, in an order explaining the extended implementation of the DMA, the EU also asked Apple to make some of its iOS features—such as notifications, AirPlay, AirDrop, and proximity-triggered pairing for Apple Watch and AirPods, among others—available for third-party devices.

The deadline for iOS notifications and instant pairing is set for June 1, 2026, while AirDrop and AirPlay have a deadline at the end of next year. However, since improved interoperability has already been hinted in iOS 26 code, some of those changes may arrive soon. Don’t expect it with iOS 26.1, though, Macworld notes, adding that Apple might need some more time to finish work on the new framework.

Improved interoperability may be intended for users in the EU, but there’s a small possibility that Apple might implement it for users elsewhere as well. Case in point: The USB-C port was mandatory only for iPhones sold in the EU, but Apple made it standard on all iPhones starting with the iPhone 15.

If the extended support does arrive, pairing a Pixel Watch or Galaxy Watch with an iPhone (without workarounds) might become possible.

is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO.

Apple could soon improve the interoperability between iPhones and third-party smartwatches. The latest iOS 26.1 beta hints at a new “notification forwarding” feature that could surface iPhone notifications on a non-Apple device or accessory, as spotted by Macworld.

Code seen by Macworld suggests that users would only be able to forward notifications to one device at a time, while a new “AccessoryExtension” framework could improve the pairing process with third-party accessories as well. It’s still too early to tell how these features will work, but they seem related to an order from the European Commission that will force Apple to make iPhones work better with non-Apple accessories.

To comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Apple is required to give developers and device manufacturers access to certain features that will make it easier to pair, transfer data, and display notifications between the iPhone and third-party devices, such as smartwatches, headphones, and speakers. Apple has until the end of this year to open up most of these features, but it’s not clear if they’ll be available with the expected launch of iOS 26.1 next month, or if they’ll come to users outside the EU.

A new report suggests Apple could be working on a means to expand the functionality of third-party smartwatches on iPhones.

The report in question comes from Macworld, which noticed an interesting line of code in the recently released iOS 26.1 beta 1. Apparently, the code mentions a new feature called Notification Forwarding. While there isn’t much information on what this new feature offers, the name indicates it will allow third-party accessories to display notifications from your iPhone.

It’s worth noting that, officially, Apple doesn’t block third-party smartwatches from displaying notifications. Instead, the missing feature is all due to a lack of software protocol that would enable it.

However, Apple was recently ordered to open up nine separate iOS connectivity features by the EU as part of the Digital Markets Act. As such, it is possible that this new code could be an answer to that order. If this is the case, it could also indicate that this will only be available on EU devices.

What does the coding indicate?

(Image credit: Apple)

The code lines don’t really tell us much just yet, with a lot of it appearing incomplete. However, one of the strings found in the code indicates that notifications can only be forwarded to one accessory at a time. As such, it appears that enabling this option in the settings will disable notifications from appearing on your Apple Watch as well.

Macword also found mention of new frameworks in the iOS 26.1 beta 1. These include one called “AccessoryExtension.” While there aren’t many details on what the function is, it looks to be aimed at making it easier to pair third-party devices with the iPhone.

With that being said, just because you would be able to use third-party options, that doesn’t mean you would be able to access every feature that comes with an Apple Watch.

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What Apple watches do that others can’t

(Image credit: Future)

There is a lot to love about the best Apple Watches, especially with the latest generation. During its recent “Awe Dropping” event, Apple unveiled the new Apple Ultra Watch 3, which offers a wealth of improvements and upgrades for Apple fans. While many of these features will have a parallel on third-party devices, it’s unlikely they’ll work as well on the best iPhones.

For instance, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is designed to work in tandem with Apple Fitness Plus classes, as well as various workout-related features. Not only that, the watch can monitor your heart rate while also offering hypertension alerts. On top of that, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 also offers a 42 Hour battery life and satellite SOS messaging.

For the time being, we will have to wait and see if the update appears when we get the public release of iOS 26.1, which is expected for October. However, considering the current reported state of the code, it doesn’t seem likely.

Let us know what you think about this change, and if you would like to see the option to have more connectivity with third-party smartwatches, or if you are instead happy to primarily use Apple Watches.

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Apple released its latest iOS 26.1 Developer beta update on Tuesday, bringing in support for more languages for its Apple Intelligence features along with some UI improvements.

However, a new report by Macworld has now found that the iPhone maker could finally be working on making third-party wearables more compatible with iOS in the future.

The report found ‘some notable under-the-hood changes’ in a snippet of code in iOS 26.1 that shows Apple’s willingness to make its software more compatible with third-party accessories and smartwatches.

What is Apple planning? Reportedly, the iOS 26.1 beta code includes an unreleased feature called ‘Notification Forwarding,’ which could allow users to choose to show notifications from their iPhone on their non-Apple device or accessory.

After the feature is released, it could be enabled in the Settings menu.

However, another string of code suggests that notifications may only be forwarded to “one accessory at a time” and enabling the new option would disable notifications on the Apple Watch.

The iOS 26.1 beta also includes some references to new frameworks related to accessory pairing called “AccessoryExtension,” which could provide users with an easier method for pairing their third-party device with an iPhone.

The report also cautions that the new features for third-party accessories may not be available in all regions and could solely be available for users in the European Union.

The new features could be a reaction to two decisions made by the European Commission in March, which specify how Apple must make iOS more interoperable with third-party developers and device makers and require that third-party accessories get support for iPhone notifications.

iOS 26.1 beta supported devices: iPhone 17 series iPhone 17

iPhone 17 Pro

iPhone 17 Pro Max

iPhone Air

iPhone 16 series iPhone 16e

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 15 series iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 series iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 series iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12 series iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 series iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max