Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.5 — an update that should reach all users in about a month. So far, it includes several interesting features for iPhone (the new Siri is still missing). Let’s figure out when to expect the release and what exactly will change.
iOS 26.5 will be released in mid-May. Image: 9to5mac.com
When Will iOS 26.5 Be Released
Apple doesn’t announce exact dates for interim updates in advance, but the company follows a very predictable schedule. Updates in the x.5 format consistently come out in mid-May — here’s how it looked in recent years:
- iOS 18.5 — May 12 (Monday)
- iOS 17.5 — May 13 (Monday)
- iOS 16.5 — May 18 (Thursday)
- iOS 15.5 — May 16 (Monday)
Based on this pattern and the fact that the first beta was released in late March, the public release of iOS 26.5 is expected during the week of May 11 or May 18, 2026. There’s just over a month until the final version comes out, and during this time Apple will likely release several more beta versions with additional features.
It’s worth remembering that in June at WWDC, Apple will already showcase iOS 27. So iOS 26.5 is essentially the last major update to the current system before the announcement of the next version.
What’s New in iOS 26.5
After the first beta, the list of new features is still modest, but a few things already deserve attention. Place recommendations in Apple Maps. Maps now has a Suggested Places feature — the app suggests interesting locations based on trending places and your past searches. Essentially, this is Apple’s attempt to make Maps not just a navigator, but something like a travel guide.
Maps will suggest interesting places, but not in Russia. Image: 9to5mac.com
End-to-end encryption for RCS messages. The beta version already supports end-to-end encryption for RCS — the messaging standard between iPhone and Android. This means that conversations with Android users will be protected at the same level as iMessage. Apple hasn’t officially confirmed that the feature will be included in the final release, but it looks very likely.
Encryption is now supported even in RCS. Image: 9to5mac.com
New subscription option in the App Store. In the update notes, a mention of a “monthly payment with a 12-month commitment” plan was found. This concerns app developers — they will be able to offer users monthly payments with an annual contract. For buyers, this could mean an intermediate option between monthly and annual subscriptions.
Changes for the European Union. Third-party accessories in the EU will gain support for Live Activities — dynamic notifications on the lock screen. For Russian users, this and all the features mentioned above are largely useless. Apple Maps in Russia is frankly poor, RCS is practically unavailable from any carrier, and subscriptions can’t be purchased with a Russian Apple ID. Bleak.
Ads in Apple Maps in iOS 26.5: What Will Change for Users
It’s also worth noting that iOS 26.5 could be the update in which Apple adds advertising to Maps in the United States and Canada. According to available information, these will be promotional place recommendations with a “focus on privacy” — meaning without sharing personal data with advertisers.
For now, this only applies to two countries, but the precedent itself is notable: Apple is gradually expanding the presence of advertising in its own services. It’s interesting whether this will extend to other apps. What if the company decides to follow Xiaomi’s path and fill built-in software with banners?
Should You Install iOS 26.5 Right After Release
Currently, only the first beta is available, and the list of features will likely grow by release. Installing the beta on your main iPhone is not recommended — it’s a test version with potential bugs and unstable performance.
In iOS 26.5, Apple should further improve stability. Image: 9to5mac.com
When the final version arrives in May, the update looks safe and reasonable. Interim updates usually don’t carry serious risks, and RCS encryption is a genuinely useful feature for those who communicate with Android users. Place recommendations in Maps are a nice addition, although the feature most likely won’t work in Russia at all.
If you don’t communicate with Android users and don’t use Apple Maps as your primary navigator, iOS 26.5 is unlikely to change your daily experience. But there’s no reason to delay the update either — at the very least, it will bring security and stability fixes that Apple traditionally includes in every release.
