Apple tests forwarding iPhone alerts to non-Apple devices in iOS 26.1

Apple appears to be preparing software changes that would let iPhones send alerts to non-Apple smartwatches and other accessories, according to code found in the iOS 26.1 beta. The beta includes an unreleased feature labeled "Notification Forwarding" that would allow users to forward iPhone notifications to a single third-party device, and it references a new pairing framework called "AccessoryExtension" that could simplify connecting non-Apple wearables to iPhones.

The beta code indicates that Notification Forwarding can be enabled in Settings and that forwarded notifications would be sent to only one accessory at a time. The code also notes that enabling forwarding would disable notifications on a paired Apple Watch, a constraint that suggests the forwarded device would become the primary endpoint for actionable alerts. References in the code imply the possibility of increased interactivity on third-party devices, such as replying to messages, but the extent of that functionality is not explicit.

AccessoryExtension and other newly referenced frameworks appear to be under development and incomplete in the beta. They point to a potential change in how iOS handles accessory...