The second beta of iOS 26.5 It's already out and arrives at a key moment: with WWDC just around the corner and iOS 27 approaching, this version is shaping up to be one of the last iOS 26 updates before the big change in the cycle. It's not a revolutionary update, but it does offer clear clues about Apple's strategy regarding maps, messaging, and European regulations.
Although the list of changes may seem modest, iOS 26.5 beta 2 serves to confirm what will arrive and what won't to the iPhone in the coming weeks. The big absence is once again Siri, while Apple focuses its efforts on the interoperability required by the European Union, monetizing Apple Maps in North America, and strengthening the security of messages between iPhone and Android.
Siri is still missing from iOS 26.5 beta 2
One of the most discussed points is what It doesn't change at all: SiriDespite the rumors and expectations that have been building for months, the second beta of iOS 26.5 arrives without a trace of a new interface, without advanced AI features visible to the user, and without clear signs of that big leap for the assistant that has been talked about for several versions.
This is not apparent in the beta notes or in the system's daily behavior. no sign of a revamped SiriThere are no new menus, no additional settings options, and no experimental Apple Intelligence-style features applied to the assistant. Everything suggests that Apple prefers to reserve any major announcements for the iOS 27 presentation during WWDC.
This approach fits with the company's usual timeline: when a major platform change is so close, the final betas of the current version are usually more of a testing ground for polish details, correct mistakes and test specific functions, rather than launching eye-catching new features in terms of user experience.
Apple Maps: Suggested places and ads… but not for Europe
In iOS 26.5 Apple focuses on Apple MapsAlthough this varies depending on the user's country. Beta 2 includes a pop-up message explaining that the maps app may display local ads based on approximate location, search terms, or the part of the map currently being viewed.
This notice is complemented by the new section of Suggested places within Apple Maps search. This feature suggests nearby points of interest based on local trends and recent searches, similar to how other services recommend restaurants, shops, or places that are "hot" in a city.
However, both the ads and these automated recommendations have an important nuance: They are initially intended for the United States and CanadaIn the territories of the European Union, for now, neither advertising nor Suggested Places will be activated in the final version, so the maps will continue to function as before, without promoted blocks at the top of the results.
Apple insists that the information used for these ads is not linked to the user's account, reinforcing its message of Privacy as a central focusEven so, the move marks another step in the monetization of Apple Maps, an area in which the company has been moving cautiously for some time in the face of alternatives like Google Maps.
RCS encryption between iPhone and Android: the feature that tries again
Another important aspect of iOS 26.5 beta 2 is messaging. Apple continues to work on support for RCS (Rich Communication Services) in conversations between iPhones and Android phones, and in this beta version, it keeps end-to-end encryption enabled by default for this type of message.
A first attempt had already been seen in earlier versions of iOS 26.4, when the company introduced E2EE encryption for RCS during the testing phase and quietly removed it before the public release. first beta of iOS 26.5 It reappeared and now, with beta 2, it is consolidating itself as one of the most watched features by users who combine platforms.
Unlike what happened in the previous cycle, the release notes for this beta no longer include an explicit warning that the encryption might disappear in the final build, which many interpret as a moderately optimistic signal Apple considers this feature to be the most mature. Even so, nothing is guaranteed until iOS 26.5 reaches the stable channel.
For those who can access the beta, the option is managed from Settings > Messageswhere RCS coexists with the classic iMessage system. If encryption is ultimately retained in the public version, conversations with Android contacts will gain a level of privacy more in line with what other modern messaging applications already offer.
Europe as a testing ground for interoperability
While in North America Apple is experimenting with advertising on maps, in the European Union The iOS 26.5 update has become a sort of laboratory for complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). A significant portion of the new features in this beta directly affect how the iPhone interacts with third-party accessories.
In the latest builds of iOS 26.5, Apple is testing at least three features aimed at headphones, smartwatches and other wearables These features, which are not from the brand itself, include proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and support for Live Activities. All of these aim to reduce the barrier that has traditionally separated the official Apple ecosystem (Apple Watch, AirPods) from devices by manufacturers like Garmin, Samsung, or Sony.
El proximity matching It allows users to bring an accessory close to their iPhone, at which point the system will display a pop-up window for quick connection, similar to how it currently works with AirPods. notification forwarding This opens the door for third-party smartwatches to display iPhone notifications with a higher level of integration than they have offered until now.
The third leg is the support for Live Activities on third-party accessoriesThis would mean that certain devices could display real-time information such as navigation directions, order status, or the remaining time on a timer—data that until now remained within the iPhone itself or, at most, on the Apple Watch.
It's worth remembering that Apple had already tested some of these features in betas of previous versions, such as iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4, and removed them just before releasing the final update. The fact that Live Activities are now being added to the equation suggests that development has progressed, but There is no guarantee that all these options will reach the general public. with the first stable version of iOS 26.5.
Other minor changes and system adjustments in iOS 26.5
Beyond the big headlines, iOS 26.5 beta 2 includes a number of discrete adjustments These changes affect subscriptions, overall performance, and minor interface details. There are no drastic redesigns, but there are signs that Apple continues to fine-tune the system as it prepares for the jump to iOS 27.
Among the changes detected is the possibility that the system accepts monthly payments for annual subscriptions with a reduced price in exchange for a commitment period. This would primarily affect third-party applications that offer annual plans, making it easier for users to pay in installments without giving up the usual discount for extended subscriptions.
Internally, differences have also been observed between distributed compilations such as OTA update and full images for restoration via IPSW, which is quite common in early testing phases. These technical nuances are primarily important to developers and advanced testers, but for the average user, the experience should be the same regardless of the installation method.
With regards to interface and daily performanceThe changes are more subtle: slight stability improvements, minor visual adjustments to some menus, and bug fixes detected in the first beta and previous versions of iOS 26. These aren't changes that will immediately catch your eye, but they help make the system feel a bit more polished.
Availability, schedule and how to test iOS 26.5 beta 2
The second beta of iOS 26.5 has been released first for registered developersFollowing Apple's usual procedure, those enrolled in the developer program can download it through Settings > General > Software Update without needing to install additional manual profiles.
A few hours or days later it usually arrives public betaaccessible to any user who signs up for Apple's beta software program through the official website. The timeline used by analysts places the final version iOS 26.5 will be released between the end of May and the first weeks of June, just before iOS 27 takes over at WWDC.
Installing the public beta remains a simple process, although it's worth remembering that this is test software and it's always best to do it on a secondary device if you rely heavily on your primary iPhone. The basic steps are always:
- Access from Safari Go to the official Apple beta program website and register with your Apple ID.
- On the iPhone, go to Settings> General> Software update.
- Enter the section Beta updates and select the iOS public beta option.
If everything is configured correctly, the update to 26.5 iOS beta It will appear as another download within the software update section, ready to be installed via OTA like any other version of the system.
Based on everything seen in these early builds, iOS 26.5 is shaping up to be a transitional update that adjusts Apple's course before the arrival of iOS 27: the major Siri overhaul is postponed, new revenue streams for Apple Maps outside of Europe are being explored, RCS encryption is being strengthened to improve cross-platform messaging, and a further step is being taken towards the interoperability required by the EU, making it clear that the short-term iPhone will be decided as much in the code as in the offices of regulators.
