Apple hardware that works with 26 generation operating systems – Image Credit: Apple
After three rounds of developer betas, the introduction of RC builds of iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, and macOS Tahoe 26.3 means the public release is coming soon.
Introducing a GM (Gold or Golden Master) or RC (Release Candidate) build means that it is practically ready for release to the general public. Barring any last-minute fixes or bug fixes, it should actually have the same content as the final public version.
We hope Apple has fixed the remaining bugs we’ve reported so far. This was a short beta cycle.
This latest round of iOS 26.3, iPadOS 26.3, watchOS 26.3, tvOS 26.3, visionOS 26.3, and macOS Tahoe 26.3 follows the third developer beta that landed on January 26. The second round was introduced on January 12, while the first batch appeared on December 15, 2025.
Along with the main developer betas, Apple also provided security updates to testers in the background, outside of the usual update flow. While this may be a test of Apple’s own feature, there’s no guarantee that more will be available in the future.
- iOS 26.3 RC is 23D125 and replaces 23D5114d
- iPadOS 26.3 RC is 23D125 and replaces 23D5114d
- watchOS 26.3 RC is 23S618 and replaces 23S5611c
- visionOS 26.3 RC is 23N619 and replaces 23N5613b
- tvOS 26.3 RC is 23K619 and replaces 23K5611c
- HomePod Software 26.3 RC is 23K619
- macOS Tahoe 26.3 RC is 25D122 and replaces 25D5112c
At the same time, Apple also released a release candidate build for older operating systems:
- iOS 18.7.5 RC has build number 22H311
- iPadOS 18.7.5 RC has build number 22H311
- macOS 15.7.4 RC has build number 24G517
- macOS 14.8.4 RC has build number 23J319
The initial developer beta of iOS 26.3 added a simplified method of switching devices with a new “Move to Android” option in the Settings app. The update also brought with it notification forwarding to third-party wearables.
The second developer beta included links to end-to-end encryption support for RCS messaging on iOS. Originally announced by Apple and the GSMA in March 2025, it is a standard that Apple has yet to implement/
AppleInsider and Apple strongly recommends that users do not install beta operating systems or beta software on hardware they consider “critical” or primarily used. Instead, they should keep backups of their data and try to use secondary hardware that is less maintenance intensive.
For regular users who want a less risky experience, Apple usually releases the public beta version of its updates shortly after the developer counterpart. A more combat-hardened version of the update, with potentially fewer bugs or issues, this is the version that interested public should try, not the developer build.
Did you find any changes in the new builds? Hit us all on Twitter at @AppleInsider gold @Andrew_OSUor email Andrew at (email protected).