Apple May Finally Let You Get iPhone Notifications on Any Smartwatch [Report]

Code found in the first beta of iOS 26.1 suggests Apple is working to improve how third-party smartwatches and accessories work with the iPhone, according to a report from Macworld. The changes, which appeared in the developer beta released Monday, could bring better interoperability to the platform.

The code points to an unreleased feature called Notification Forwarding. As its name implies, it would allow users to have notifications from their iPhone appear on a non-Apple device. Strings found in the code suggest that notifications can only be forwarded to "one accessory at a time," and that enabling the option disables notifications on a paired Apple Watch.

In addition to notification support, the beta also includes references to new frameworks, including one named 'AccessoryExtension.' While the frameworks appear to be unfinished, they hint at a new, easier method for pairing third-party devices with an iPhone.


While the feature would be welcome news for many, there's a strong chance it is being developed specifically to comply with European Union regulations. The EU's Digital Markets Act previously ordered Apple to open up several iOS features for interoperability, including the ability for third-party wearables to display iPhone notifications. Apple has since appealed the order and even announced it would delay some iOS 26 features in the EU, citing regulatory risks.

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