Apple is already moving on to its next update. It is rolling out the first developer beta of iOS 26.5 just a week after the stable iOS 26.4 release.
And while this isn’t a headline-grabbing upgrade, it quietly adds a handful of features. These hint at where Apple is heading next.
The biggest change is tucked inside Maps. A new ‘Suggested Places’ section has appeared within the search interface, surfacing recommendations directly in the app. It lines up with Apple’s broader push to expand discovery, and potentially advertising, within its own services.
Elsewhere, iOS 26.5 beta 1 brings a mix of smaller but meaningful tweaks. There are new purchase options in the App Store, alongside improvements to accessory pairing and broader support for connected devices. Apple is also continuing its slow expansion of RCS messaging. Plus, there are enhanced sharing options for message attachments between iPhone and Android, a move that should make cross-platform chats feel a little less clunky.
Some features are more region-specific. Users in the EU will see Live Activities support extended to third-party accessories. Meanwhile, the update also introduces a new Inuktitut keyboard layout, expanding Apple’s language support.
Digging into the code, there are also references to a ‘Year in Review for 2026’ feature in Apple Books. This suggests Apple is working on more personalised, end-of-year summaries across its ecosystem. It is something we’ve already seen roll out in Apple Music and other services.
As with most early betas, the focus here is stability as much as features. There are a number of bug fixes included under the hood.
There’s no word yet on when iOS 26.5 will roll out publicly. However, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule, a wider release shouldn’t be too far off.
