Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 26.5, which gives an early look at what is coming next to the iPhone. While the update does not include the much-awaited Siri upgrades, it still brings a few useful changes across apps and system features.
The update is currently available for developers, and a public beta is expected soon.
Apple Maps gets Suggested Places
One notable addition in iOS 26.5 is a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps. This feature shows recommendations based on trending locations nearby, along with your recent searches.
It appears directly inside the search interface, which makes it easier to discover places without typing much. This looks like part of Apple’s bigger push to make Maps more discovery-focused.
Ads are coming to Apple Maps
Apple is also preparing to bring ads to Apple Maps. While ads are not live yet, iOS 26.5 includes early groundwork for this change.
The system may show ads based on your location, what you search for, and how you interact with the map. This suggests that Maps could soon work more like other platforms where businesses can promote their listings.
RCS messages get end-to-end encryption
Apple continues to improve messaging with support for end-to-end encryption in RCS chats inside Messages. This feature was tested earlier, but did not ship. It now appears again in iOS 26.5 beta. It is still not fully confirmed if it will be available in the final public release, but things look more promising this time.
New App Store subscription options
The App Store is also getting changes, mainly for subscriptions.
Apple is introducing a new billing option that lets users pay monthly but commit to a full year. This could give developers more flexibility in pricing, while also locking in longer subscriptions.
More details are still unclear, but this could change how apps handle long-term plans.
New features for users in the EU
iOS 26.5 continues to add region-specific changes in the European Union.
One key update is support for Live Activities on third-party accessories. This means compatible devices could show real-time updates from an iPhone.
Apple is also testing improvements like better notifications, proximity pairing, and even audio switching for third-party devices. However, there is no confirmation on when these features will roll out widely.
Smaller but useful improvements
Along with the major changes, iOS 26.5 also includes a few smaller updates:
- Better accessory pairing. Devices like Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad stay connected over Bluetooth when plugged in
- A new Inuktitut keyboard layout
- Early hints of a “Year in Review 2026” feature in Apple Books
- More control when transferring data from iPhone to Android, including options for message attachment duration
Final thoughts
iOS 26.5 is not a major update, but it adds several small improvements that improve everyday use. The focus seems to be on Maps, messaging security, and ecosystem features.
More changes could appear in upcoming beta versions before the final release.
