Apple released iOS 26.5 beta 1 for developers today. The update does not include the much-anticipated new Siri features, but there are several noteworthy changes. Below you can find a complete summary of all the new features in iOS 26.5 beta 1.

iOS 26.5 beta 1 Details

iOS 26.5 beta 1 has a build number of 23F5043g. It is available for developers, and a public beta version is expected to be released this weekend or early next week.

In addition to iOS 26.5, Apple also released iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 for developers today.

What’s New in iOS 26.5?

Suggested Places in Apple Maps

Earlier this month, Apple announced that advertisements would be coming to Apple Maps this summer. At the same time, it introduced a new "Suggested Places" feature.

The new Suggested Places feature is active in iOS 26.5, and Apple states that it will show suggestions based on "popular nearby locations, the user's recent searches, and more."

The new Suggested Places feature will appear when the search box in the Apple Maps app is tapped.

For more information: iOS 26.5 adds a new Apple Maps feature for popular places

Infrastructure for Ads in Apple Maps

Ads are not yet active in Apple Maps, but Aaron Perris noted on social media that Apple has begun building the infrastructure: "Maps can show local ads based on your approximate location, your current search terms, or when viewing the map while searching."

RCS End-to-End Encryption

Apple began testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages as part of the iOS 26.4 beta releases. However, this feature did not come with that update, and Apple stated that it would arrive with a future iOS 26 update.

iOS 26.5 again includes end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. It is unclear whether the feature will be truly active when iOS 26.5 is publicly released, but Apple’s release notes no longer suggest otherwise.

For more information: iOS 26.5's Messages app has RCS end-to-end encryption beta

App Store Purchase Options

In the release notes for iOS 26.5, Apple mentions that there will be new purchase options in the App Store for developers. The major change here seems to be an option that allows users to be billed monthly but with a 12-month commitment.

  • "You can read pricing information for subscriptions with a 12-month commitment billing plan configuration..."
  • "You can specify the billing plan type to be used for subscriptions with a 12-month commitment billing plan configuration..."

We are waiting for more details to understand what this means for developers.

For more information: iOS 26.5 may add new in-app options for subscriptions

EU Changes

iOS 26.5 continues to test new features in the European Union. The update specifically introduces support for Live Activities for third-party accessories. This will allow accessories to receive and display Live Activities from an iPhone.

Apple has not released any public documents regarding this feature, and it is unclear which accessories will support this capability.

Apple is also continuing to test other updates in the EU under iOS 26.5, including notifications for third-party accessories and proximity pairing. It is unknown when these features will actually become active.

For more information: iOS 26.5 adds Live Activities support for third-party accessories in the EU

More Changes in iOS 26.5

There are a few minor changes in iOS 26.5:

  • Accessory pairing: Now, when you connect a Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad to your iPhone, it will automatically stay connected via Bluetooth.
  • New Inuktitut keyboard layout.
  • There are hints about "2026 Year Review" features for Apple Books; these include titles and badges like Loyal Reader, Reading Kingdom, and Powerful Reader.
  • When transferring data from iPhone to Android, there are new options for sharing message attachments: None, 30 days, 1 year, or all.

Other Information About iOS 26.5

If you notice anything else new in iOS 26.5 beta 1, please let us know in the comments.

My favorite iPhone accessories:

  • Built-in screen Anker Nano USB-C wall charger
  • CardPointers: Maximize credit card rewards (special 30% discount)
  • Charge all your Apple devices at once
  • Bring wireless CarPlay to any vehicle
  • USB-C cable that shows your charging speed

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