In a surprise move, Apple has released iOS 5 Beta 5 (build 9A5288d) to developers on Saturday. Apple typically releases new developer seeds on weekdays. Alongside the iOS 5 beta 5 release is Xcode 4.2 Developer Preview 5, iTunes 10.5 Beta 5 and Apple TV Software beta 4.
iOS 5 Beta 5 is available as an over the air update, but according to the release notes, users must first erase all content and settings by choosing Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Apple recommends backing up your device using iTunes 10.5 Beta 4 or through iCloud prior to installing iOS 5 beta 5, and subsequently restoring. That said, some users have been able to upgrade fine without going through that process.
thanks Elijah
BGR posts the release notes, which details some fixes, but no major new features. We're looking into what other changes may have occurred.
Hearing Aid Mode is said to be new in iOS 5 Beta 5:
Over the air update from Beta 4 to Beta 5 is 128MB.
NatesTechUpdate offers this video which goes over some of the new findings in iOS 5:
Monday January 26, 2026 1:55 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced its first two physical products of 2026: a second-generation AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided Solo Loop for the Apple Watch.
Read our coverage of each announcement to learn more:Apple Unveils New AirTag With Longer Range, Louder Speaker, and More
Apple Introduces New Black Unity Apple Watch BandBoth the new AirTag and the Black Unity Connection Braided...
Monday January 26, 2026 3:56 pm PST by Juli Clover
Alongside iOS 26.2.1, Apple today released an updated version of iOS 12 for devices that are still running that operating system update, eight years after the software was first released.
iOS 12.5.8 is available for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 6, meaning Apple is continuing to support these devices for 13 and 12 years after launch, respectively. The iPhone 5s came out in September 2013,...
Tuesday January 27, 2026 2:39 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Update: Apple Creator Studio is now available.
Apple Creator Studio launches this Wednesday, January 28. The all-in-one subscription provides access to the Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Pixelmator Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage apps, with U.S. pricing set at $12.99 per month or $129 per year.
A subscription to Apple Creator Studio also unlocks "intelligent features" and "premium...
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Monday January 26, 2026 6:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today introduced the second-generation AirTag, with key features including longer range for tracking items and a louder speaker.
For those who are not familiar, the AirTag is a small accessory that you can attach to your backpack, keys, or other items. Then, you can track the location of those items in the Find My app on the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and iCloud.com.
The new...
Camera+ (http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id329670577?mt=8) and Mashable! (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mashable/id356202138?mt=8) have both been accepted with unofficial support for iOS 5..... the update log on iTunes page has since changed
original details can be found here: http://www.cultofmac.com/apple-already-approving-app-updates-for-ios-5-%E2%80%94-launch-next-month/107598
There is a difference between being compatible with iOS 5 and having features that require iOS 5. I am the developer of an app that does not run at all on iOS 5 at the moment. However, I can fix the problem and make it work on (a.k.a. be compatible with) iOS 5 without ever touching the iOS 5 SDK. I can submit that update today. The thing I can't do is submit an update that uses an API that is only found in iOS 5. These apps that have updated for compatibility with iOS 5 are doing the former: fixing issues with running on iOS 5 using the iOS 4 SDK.
Apple: Please don't forget us lowly mac users and try to release iLion 10.7.1 before 2012. :confused:
What's an iLion?
Are your talking about OS X Lion?
Mac OS 10.7.2 released to developers... https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1196198
Apple has not yet made any mention of 10.7.1. OS X Lion was just released last week, and we expect that 10.7.1 will be delivered shortly as an initial bug fix to customers.
I agree what's the point of an OTA update if I still have to restore my device?
It's a beta. The only officially supported OTA updated with be starting with future versions of iOS 5.0 onward. They don't really care about bugs that only arise from 5.0 beta 4 -> 5.0 beta 5.
how do I get this thing installed without paying the $99 registration or whatever fee?? Any hacks?
You should definitely have googled that before asking it here. Prepare yourself for the onslaught of "You have NO BUSINESS downloading a beta if you have to ask this, NON-DEV" douchebagery.
