Top Stories

9to5Mac Top Stories: iOS 26.3 beta, App Store changes, Apple Music features

Chance Miller | Dec 20 2025 - 5:34 am PT

Welcome to 9to5Mac’s top stories of the week, where we recap the biggest news in the Apple world every Saturday. This week, we have the first beta of iOS 26.3, new details on the iPhone 18 and iPhone Fold, and more changes to the App Store. Plus, our usual slate of new podcast episodes, opinion pieces, and much more. Read on for all of this week’s top stories.

This week’s top stories

AAPL Company
Software
iPhone
Mac
More Hardware
Apps
9to5Mac Podcast Network
Gift Guides

AAPL Company

Apple age verification with a privacy focus would solve two problems

Apple faces revived App Store antitrust class action at U.S. appeals court

Apple gift card safety questioned after terrifying account lockout

Epic Games accuses Apple of ‘competition-crushing’ junk fees as battle continues

Morgan Stanley bumps Apple stock price target, maintains Overweight rating

Apple shared ‘bendgate’ lessons as it helped small US manufacturers innovate

Apple in early talks to assemble and package iPhone chips in India: report

Developers say Apple’s EU App Store terms lag behind new U.S. court limits

iPhone sales predicted to fall next year, with far higher manufacturing costs

Apple specialists to participate in White House’s ‘Tech Force’ initiative

Apple and Google will be asked to block nude photos unless user age is verified

Software

iMessage is full of features you’re probably not using (but should) [Video]

Apple releases first iOS 26.3 beta for iPhone

Apple might be requiring iPhone users to install iOS 26 for security fixes

iOS 26.2 makes one of my favorite Apple Watch features even more useful

This hidden iOS feature is my daily go-to when using AirPods Pro 3

iOS 26.2: All the new features now available on your iPhone

Apple Wallet order tracking improved with iOS 26, but it’s still missing something

watchOS 26 upgraded Apple Watch’s most popular face in two ways

visionOS 26.2 adds big change for using Apple Vision Pro on the go

iPhone

Review: SwitchBot Wallet Finder is an incredibly useful accessory to track your wallet with iPhone Find My

iMessage is full of features you’re probably not using (but should) [Video]

Why iPhone Air feels removed from time

Apple has at least eight new iPhones in the works, here’s what we know: report

The iPhone Air 2 seems likely to be way more successful than the original

iPhone sales predicted to fall next year, with far higher manufacturing costs

Here’s why you may have to wait until 2027 to get an iPhone Fold

A small but crucial detail provides a clue on iPhone Fold pricing

iPhone Fold will be ‘more wide than tall’ when unfolded, per report

Here’s everything expected from next year’s iPhone Fold

Two brand new 2026 products could prove Apple’s ‘not first, but best’ motto

Mac

macOS Tahoe users report persistent screen flickering issues

Security Bite: This app tells you if your Mac’s webcam or mic was triggered while you were away

New Apple repair process allows battery-only replacements on the M5 14-inch MacBook Pro

OLED iMac in the works, says report – with two catches

New M5 iMac model aimed at pro users might be coming, per leak

More Hardware

iOS 26.2 makes one of my favorite Apple Watch features even more useful

Should you buy a cellular Apple Watch? Here’s what to consider

Apple announces 2026 ‘Ring in the New Year’ challenge for Apple Watch users

visionOS 26.2 adds big change for using Apple Vision Pro on the go

Apple cancels ‘The Last Frontier’ after just one season

Apple TV’s newest nature docuseries is now available

Apple TV releasing Pluribus season finale early next week

‘Beat the Reaper’: Apple TV picks up new dramedy, starring Will Poulter

Apple TV’s next big psychological thriller gets a premiere date

Apple TV announces ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ spin-off

Apple TV unveils new series starring Matthew Rhys of ‘The Beast in Me’

There’s a big Pluribus spoiler on Google Earth, if you know where to look

Apple TV: How to watch ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ for free this weekend

Apps

Snapchat Quick Cut automatically creates music-synced videos in seconds

X drops support for installing its iPad app on the Mac

Bluesky launches ‘privacy-first’ method of uploading your contacts

PayPal has applied to become a US bank, offering savings accounts and loans

Kindle Ask this Book AI-powered feature launches in iOS app

Indie App Spotlight: ‘Headlines’ offers a news reading experience that isn’t tiring

Apple Music now available as an app on ChatGPT, here’s how to use it

iOS 26.2 fulfills a five-year-old Apple Music request with new Apple Podcasts features

Apple Music renames ‘Favorites Mix’ playlist to ‘Your Essentials’

GM rolling out native Apple Music app with Spatial Audio support

9to5Mac Podcast Network

9to5Mac Daily: December 19, 2025 – iPhone Fold, Apple Music news

9to5Mac Daily: December 18, 2025 – iOS 26.3 beta testing begins

iPhone roadmap rumors, iOS 26.2 released, Apple Music in ChatGPT

9to5Mac Daily: December 17, 2025 – Apple’s iPhone roadmap

9to5Mac Daily: December 16, 2025 – AirDrop features, new iOS rumors

9to5Mac Daily: December 15, 2025 – iOS 26.2 now available

Gift Guides

Gift Guide: Last-minute Apple gifts that arrive before Christmas

Gift guide: Last-minute HomeKit recommendations

Gift Guide: Never lose anything again with these Find My accessories

The best ways to upgrade a Mac setup: Gift guide

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Chance Miller chancehmiller

Chance is the editor-in-chief of 9to5Mac, overseeing the entire site’s operations. He also hosts the 9to5Mac Daily and 9to5Mac Happy Hour podcasts.

You can send tips, questions, and typos to chance@9to5mac.com.