The update is out for developers now, and it brings real changes worth knowing about even without the new Siri features.
“Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search,” developer Aaron Perris noted on social media after digging into the build. Apple released iOS 26.5 beta 1 to developers today, with iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 all arriving at the same time. A public beta is expected later this week or early next week.
The headline feature is RCS end-to-end encryption. Apple tested it during the iOS 26.4 beta cycle but never shipped it. It is back in iOS 26.5, and this time Apple’s own release notes no longer hint at any reason it would be held back again. That is a good sign for iPhone users who send messages across platforms.
Apple Maps is also changing in two ways. The new Suggested Places feature is now live, showing trending spots nearby and results based on recent searches. It appears directly inside the Maps search box. At the same time, Apple is quietly building the infrastructure for ads inside Maps. The ads are not showing yet but are confirmed for this summer.
The App Store is testing a new billing option too. It looks like a monthly subscription plan tied to a 12-month commitment, though Apple has not published full documentation yet. In the European Union, iOS 26.5 adds Live Activities support for third-party accessories, letting them pull and display live information directly from an iPhone.
Smaller changes round out the update. Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad now stay connected via Bluetooth automatically after being plugged in. A new Inuktitut keyboard layout has been added. Apple Books is getting Year in Review features for 2026. Users switching from iPhone to Android now get more control over which message attachments transfer across.
Apple releases iOS 26.5 beta 1 with RCS end-to-end encryption, Suggested Places in Maps, and early infrastructure for Apple Maps ads arriving this summer.
(Image credit: Evan Mahmud Pexels)
