Credit: 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.