Apple released iOS 26.5 beta 1 for developers today. The update doesn’t include the much-anticipated new Siri features, but there are a few changes worth noting. Head below for a full roundup of everything new in iOS 26.5 beta 1.
iOS 26.5 beta 1 details
iOS 26.5 beta 1 has build number 23F5043g. It’s available for developers, and a public beta is expected later this week or early next week.
In addition to iOS 26.5, Apple today released iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 for developers.
iOS 26.5: What’s new?
Suggested locations on Apple Maps
Earlier this month, Apple announced that ads are coming to Apple Maps this summer. At the same time, the company also announced a new “Suggested Locations” section.
The. The new Recommended Places feature is available in iOS 26.5, and Apple says it will “show recommendations based on what’s happening recently, recent user searches, and more.”
A new Recommended Places feature will appear in the search box in the Apple Maps app.
Read more: iOS 26.5 adds a new Apple Maps feature for popular locations
How to make ads on Apple Maps
While ads aren’t yet available on Apple Maps, Aaron Perris notes on social media that Apple has started laying the groundwork: “Maps can show local ads based on your location, current search terms, or map view while you’re searching.”
End-to-end RCS
Apple began testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages as part of the iOS 26.4 betas. However, that feature was not shipped as part of that update, and Apple said it will come as part of a future iOS 26 update.
iOS 26.5 includes end-to-end encryption for RCS messages as well. It’s unclear whether the feature will ship when iOS 26.5 is released to the general public, but Apple’s release notes don’t suggest otherwise.
Read more: The Messages app for iOS 26.5 has RCS end-to-end encryption in beta
Store Purchase Options
In the release notes for iOS 26.5, Apple says there will be new purchasing options in the App Store for developers. The biggest change here seems to be an option that will allow users to be billed monthly, but with a 12-month commitment.
- “You can read pricing information for month-to-month subscriptions with a 12-month commitment plan…”
- “You can specify the type of billing plan you can use for subscriptions with monthly renewals for a 12-month commitment…”
We’re still waiting for more information to determine exactly what this means for developers.
Read more: iOS 26.5 may add new in-app options for subscriptions
The EU is changing
iOS 26.5 continues to test new features in the European Union. This update directly introduces Live Activities support for third-party apps. This will allow the device to receive and display Live Activities from the iPhone.
Apple hasn’t released any documentation about this feature publicly, and it’s unclear which devices will support the capability when it launches.
Apple continues to test other improvements in the EU as part of iOS 26.5, including notifications and integration with third-party apps. It is not known when these features will be shipped.
Read more: iOS 26.5 adds Live Activities support for third-party apps in the EU
Other changes in iOS 26.5
There are some minor changes in iOS 26.5:
- Device pairing: Now, when you connect a Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad to your iPhone, it will stay connected via Bluetooth.
- New look of Inuktitut keyboard.
- There are details on the new “Year In Review for 2026” features for Apple Books, including titles and awards for things like The Loyal Reader, Reading Royalty, The Power Reader, and more.
- When transferring your data from iPhone to Android, there are new options when sharing message packages: None, 30 days, one year, or all.
Final: iOS 26.5
If you see something new in iOS 26.5 beta 1, be sure to let us know in the comments.
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