Apple has opened testing for iPadOS 26.3 beta 1, and the first public beta is now available for anyone enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program.
Earlier this week, Apple released iPadOS 26.3 beta 1 to developers on Monday, December 15, 2025. The beta carries build number 23D5089e.
Now, Apple has rolled out the first public beta as well, letting non-developers install iPadOS 26.3 beta 1 through the usual beta update path in Settings.
How to update to iPadOS 26.3 public beta 1
- Open Settings
- Tap General
- Tap Software Update
- Tap Beta Updates
- Select iPadOS 26 Public Beta
- Go back, then tap Download and Install
If you do not see the beta right away, wait a bit and check again. Apple’s beta rollout can appear in waves.
Changes in iPadOS 26.3 beta 1
Early signs point to a quieter update. So far, no big, user-facing additions have been widely identified specifically for iPadOS 26.3 beta 1.
What you should expect in this first beta is the usual set of early-cycle refinements, including bug fixes, performance improvements, and stability updates that smooth out rough edges from iPadOS 26.2.
If you install it, keep an eye on battery life, overheating, app crashes, and any multitasking quirks. Those are the issues that tend to surface first in early betas.
Thanks for testing, and let us know in the comments what changes you noticed in iPadOS 26.3 beta 1.
