iOS 26.5 Public Beta Out: Ready To Try Apple’s New Maps And Features?

Apple has rolled out the first public beta of iOS 26.5, giving iPhone users enrolled in the iOS 26 beta programme the chance to explore its latest features.

A key addition is the ‘Suggested Places’ feature in Apple Maps, which highlights trending nearby locations and offers suggestions based on recent searches, making it easier for users to discover places without entering specific queries.

The update also introduces backend support for ads in Maps, potentially enabling localised advertisements to appear based on user activity and location.

Apple has reintroduced end-to-end encryption for RCS messages in the beta, though it is unclear when it will appear in the public release.

iOS 26.5 also introduces potential App Store subscription changes, including monthly billing for 12-month plans and discounted instalments for annual subscriptions.

In the EU, Apple is testing Live Activities on third-party devices and improved notifications, with public rollout dates and supported accessories still unconfirmed.

Additional enhancements in the beta include automatic Bluetooth pairing for accessories such as the Magic Keyboard, Mouse, and Trackpad, a new Inuktitut keyboard, and expanded options for transferring messages from iPhone to Android devices.

The update is available for a wide range of devices, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11 series, and iPhone SE (2nd generation and later).

To install iOS 26.5 public beta 1, users should enrol via Apple’s beta website, navigate to Settings → General → Software Update, select Beta Updates, and choose iOS 26.5 Public Beta.

After accepting Apple’s terms, the download and installation will begin automatically.

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