Code discovered within the latest iOS 26.1 Developer beta indicates that Apple may be developing features to improve the compatibility of iPhones with third-party smartwatches and accessories. While the official update focuses on expanded language support for Apple Intelligence, a new report has uncovered hidden frameworks that point to significant changes in how non-Apple devices could interact with the iOS ecosystem in the future.
Notification Forwarding’ Feature Discovered
At the center of the discovery is an unreleased feature internally labeled ‘Notification Forwarding.’ This system appears designed to allow iPhone notifications, such as calls and messages, to be sent directly to non-Apple wearables.
The implementation, however, may come with notable restrictions. Code strings suggest that the feature might only support one external accessory at a time. Furthermore, enabling notification forwarding to a third-party device could concurrently disable notifications on a user’s connected Apple Watch.
Regulatory Context and Potential Limitations
The development of these features is widely believed to be a response to regulatory pressure from the European Union. In March, the European Commission issued mandates requiring Apple to ensure greater interoperability between its platform and third-party hardware and software developers.
As a result, it is possible that these new compatibility features, if officially released, could be geographically limited to users within the EU. The code also contains references to a new framework called ‘AccessoryExtension,’ suggesting Apple is also working on a more streamlined process for pairing third-party devices with an iPhone.
Apple has not yet made an official announcement regarding these features, which remain in development and are not available to the public.
