Earlier this week, Apple seeded the first beta of iOS 26.5 to developers and public beta testers. The software update is relatively minor so far, which is not too surprising given that Apple is likely shifting its focus towards iOS 27. Apple is expected to unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and the update should be released in September.
iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for two changes, including end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app.
End-to-end encryption for RCS is a security feature that ensures that messages sent between supported iOS 26.5 and Android devices are encrypted and cannot be intercepted and read by a third party while they are being delivered.
Apple already tested end-to-end encryption for RCS in the iOS 26.4 beta, but the feature did not make it into the final release of iOS 26.4 last week. It remains to be seen if the feature launches with iOS 26.5, or if it will be removed again before beta testing ends and return at some point during the iOS 27 software cycle.
Last month, Apple announced that ads are coming to the Apple Maps app on the iPhone and iPad in the U.S. and Canada starting "this summer," and there is evidence of Apple preparing for that within iOS 26.5's code.
Apple says businesses in the U.S. and Canada will be able to place ads in search results and at the top of a new "Suggested Places" section in the app.
The new "Suggested Places" section is visible in the iOS 26.5 beta.
"Ads on Maps will appear when users search in Maps, and can appear at the top of a user's search results based on relevance, as well as at the top of a new Suggested Places experience in Maps, which will display recommendations based on what's trending nearby, the user's recent searches, and more," says Apple.
Similar to the ads that are already shown in App Store search results on the iPhone and iPad, ads in Apple Maps will have an "Ad" label, and Apple promises strong privacy protections. For example, Apple says a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account.
Read our coverage of Apple's announcement for more details about the ads.
In the iOS 26.5 beta, Apple is working to extend iPhone features like notifications, Live Activities, and AirPods-like pairing to third-party smartwatches and headphones in the EU, as required under the Digital Markets Act.
Beyond that, iOS 26.5 has only a few other minor changes.
Following beta testing, iOS 26.5 will likely be released in May.
