Apple just pushed out iOS 26.5 beta 1 to developers, and while it’s not the dramatic update some were hoping for, those long-awaited Siri improvements are still nowhere in sight. There’s actually quite a bit to unpack. From Maps updates to RCS encryption and some interesting EU-specific changes, here’s a complete breakdown of all the new features in iOS 26.5 beta 1 for iPhone.
iOS 26.5 Beta 1 Build Details
iOS 26.5 beta 1 carries the build number 23F5043g. Right now, it’s available exclusively for developers, though a public beta is expected to roll out later this week or early next week.
Alongside iOS 26.5, Apple also seeded iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 to developers today.
iOS 26.5 Beta 1 New Features and Changes
Suggested Places in Apple Maps
Earlier this month, Apple confirmed that ads are heading to Apple Maps this summer. Along with that announcement came word of a brand-new Suggested Places feature and it’s already live in this update.
According to Apple, Suggested Places will “display recommendations based on what’s trending nearby, the user’s recent searches, and more.” You’ll see it pop up as soon as you tap inside the search box in the Maps app. It’s a subtle but genuinely useful addition, especially if you’re the type to explore new spots on a whim.
Groundwork for Apple Maps Ads
The ads themselves haven’t gone live yet, but developer Aaron Perris flagged on social media that Apple has quietly started laying the infrastructure for them. Per the code references he spotted, Maps may eventually show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or what’s visible on your map while you search. Nothing intrusive just yet, but it’s clearly coming.
RCS End-to-End Encryption
This one has a bit of history. Apple began testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages back during the iOS 26.4 betas, but the feature never actually made it into the final release. Apple noted at the time that it would arrive in a future update.
Well, here it is again in iOS 26.5 beta 1. Apple’s release notes no longer flag it as unavailable, which is a good sign — though it still remains to be seen whether it’ll actually ship when iOS 26.5 goes public. Fingers crossed this time it sticks.
New App Store Purchase Options
One of the more developer-focused features and changes in iOS 26.5 beta 1 involves new billing configurations in the App Store. Based on Apple’s release notes, it looks like developers will soon be able to offer subscriptions billed monthly but tied to a 12-month commitment, essentially a hybrid pricing model.
Apple’s notes reference the ability to both display and configure pricing for this billing plan type. The full implications for developers and end users are still a bit murky, but it suggests more flexible subscription structures could be on the way. We’ll share more details as they become clearer.
EU-Specific Features
Apple keeps quietly expanding what’s available in the European Union, and iOS 26.5 is no exception. This beta introduces Live Activities support for third-party accessories, which would allow accessories to receive and display Live Activities from a connected iPhone. No public documentation exists for this yet, and which accessories might support it at launch is still unknown.
Apple is also continuing to test notifications and proximity pairing for third-party accessories in the EU as part of this update. There’s no word on when any of these EU features will officially ship.
Smaller but Noteworthy Changes
Beyond the headliners, there are several smaller but interesting tweaks worth highlighting in this update:
- Accessory Pairing Improvement: Plugging in a Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad to your iPhone will now automatically keep it connected via Bluetooth, with no extra steps needed.
- New Inuktitut Keyboard Layout: Apple continues expanding its language support with the addition of a new Inuktitut keyboard.
- Apple Books Year In Review 2026: There are early hints of a “Year In Review for 2026” feature for Apple Books, complete with titles and medals for reading milestones like “The Loyal Reader,” “Reading Royalty,” and “The Power Reader.”
- iPhone to Android Transfer Options: When moving your data from iPhone to Android, you’ll now have more control over message attachment sharing with new options: None, 30 days, 1 year, or All.
Wrap Up
That covers everything we’ve found so far in the new features rollout for iOS 26.5 beta 1. It’s a focused update, not flashy, but there are some genuinely meaningful additions here, especially for RCS users and developers. As always, more details tend to surface as testers dig deeper into the beta, so we’ll keep this updated.
If you’ve spotted anything else new in iOS 26.5 beta 1, drop it in the comments below!
iOS 26.5 beta 1 is currently developer-only, with a public beta expected within a week or so. Apple hasn’t confirmed an official release date for the stable version yet.
It’s looking more likely this time. The feature was tested in iOS 26.4 betas but never shipped. It’s back in iOS 26.5 beta 1, and Apple’s release notes no longer flag it as held back, though nothing is guaranteed until the final build drops.
No. The underlying infrastructure is being put in place, but the ads themselves aren’t live yet. Apple has said ads are coming to Maps this summer, likely rolling out via a server-side activation rather than a specific iOS update.
