We barely had time to enjoy iOS 26.4 with its AI playlists and new emoji before Apple dropped the next update. Today, March 30, the first beta version of iOS 26.5 was released, along with iPadOS 26.5 and other operating systems. The build is intended for developers, but as we know, beta versions have long been popular among regular users too — the number of people wanting to try new software before everyone else grows every year. Let’s break down what’s known about iOS 26.5 and what to expect from it.
The new iOS 26.5 beta version is out. Should we update? Photo: macrumors.com
What Might Appear in iOS 26.5
The main intrigue of iOS 26.5 is the updated Siri with deep Apple Intelligence integration. As a reminder, Apple promised this functionality back at WWDC 2024, but it never reached users. Originally, “Siri 2.0” was planned for iOS 26.4, but internal testing revealed serious accuracy and performance issues, and the release was postponed.
The new Siri — that’s what all iPhone owners are waiting for
According to insiders, Apple engineers who worked on the updated Siri were redirected to continue their work specifically within iOS 26.5. This involves contextual screen understanding, expanded in-app actions, and generative responses — everything that should transform Siri from a simple voice assistant into a full-fledged AI competitor to ChatGPT and Google Gemini.
However, optimism should be tempered. Several sources indicate that Apple is still experiencing difficulties with the new Siri’s performance, and the most significant Siri improvements may be pushed to iOS 27, which will be shown at WWDC in June. The new iOS 26.5 will most likely receive only some of the planned features — a sort of “preview” before the major update in the fall. The first beta will show just how far Apple has progressed in this direction.
How iMessage Will Change in iOS 26.5
Another long-awaited feature that may finally reach users in iOS 26.5 is end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages. Apple had been testing this capability in iOS 26.4 betas: initially, encryption only worked between iPhones (with iMessage disabled), and in the second beta, support for exchanging encrypted messages with Android devices appeared.
Important improvements for iMessage are also expected in iOS 26.5. Photo: androidauthority
However, this feature didn’t make it into the final version of iOS 26.4. Apple explicitly stated in the release notes that RCS encryption will appear “in a future iOS 26 update.” This makes iOS 26.5 the most likely candidate for launch.
To implement full E2EE, Apple needs to transition to RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which will also add the ability to edit and delete sent messages in conversations — features that iMessage users have long been accustomed to. For those who communicate with Android smartphone owners, this will be one of the most significant security improvements in a long time. Unfortunately, the feature won’t work in Russia, but our readers in other countries will be in luck!
New Apple Watch Features in iOS 26.5
Apple continues to adapt to the requirements of the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). In iOS 26.3, the company already added the ability to forward notifications to third-party devices and simplified pairing — similar to how AirPods connect, but for headphones and watches from other manufacturers.
Apple will also make changes to Apple Watch functionality. Photo: idownloadblog
In iOS 26.5, these capabilities will likely receive refinements. Currently, notification forwarding to Apple Watch only works with one device at a time: if you enable it for third-party smartwatches, Apple Watch will stop receiving notifications. The EU insists on full functional interoperability, so Apple will likely continue expanding third-party accessory capabilities — albeit reluctantly. These iOS 26.5 changes are currently only available in Europe, although the settings appear on iPhones worldwide.
When Will iOS 26.5 Be Released for Everyone
Based on historical data, Apple usually releases the public version of x.5 updates in late May to early June, before WWDC.
The first developer beta was released on March 30, 2026. We can expect at least 4-5 builds, as well as a Release Candidate version. Thus, the estimated release date of iOS 26.5 for everyone is mid-May 2026.
Why? Apple traditionally aims to close the iOS 26 cycle before the WWDC date in order to fully switch to the next major version — in this case, iOS 27. At least iOS 18.5 appeared around those same dates.
How to Install iOS 26.5 on iPhone
You can install iOS 26.5 right now from iPhone settings. Before updating, think: do you really need it? Especially since experimenting with your primary iPhone can lead to glitches — it’s not worth it. But for those who have been using beta versions for a long time, the update may come in handy. Ready? Then follow the instructions.
- Go to the Apple Developer Program website and sign in with your Apple Account.
- Accept the license agreement and you’ll see the developer registration page where you’ll need to confirm participation.
- Restart your phone and go to Settings — “General.”
- Open “Beta Updates” and select “iOS 26.5 Developer Beta.”
- Select “Software Update” and search for updates, then install iOS 26.5 beta 1 on your iPhone.
