Apple has released the second developer betas of iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5. The new builds arrive two weeks after Apple rolled out updated first betas for testing.
Registered developers can install the updates by going to Settings > General > Software Update on an iPhone or iPad enrolled in the developer beta program.
iOS 26.5 beta 2 features and changes
So far, the second beta does not introduce major new features. However, the update continues testing several changes Apple introduced in earlier builds.
Suggested Places in Apple Maps
The Apple Maps app includes a Suggested Places feature that recommends locations based on trending places nearby and recent searches.
Apple is also laying the groundwork for future ads inside Maps. These ads could appear in search results and Suggested Places listings.
RCS end-to-end encryption testing continues
Apple is continuing to test end to end encryption for RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users.
The feature previously appeared in an iOS 26.4 beta but was removed before the update shipped publicly. It now remains under testing in the iOS 26.5 beta cycle.
EU features for third party wearables
In the European Union, Apple is also testing new interoperability features for third party accessories.
These include:
- Proximity pairing for easier accessory setup
- Notification forwarding from iPhone to third party wearables
- Live Activities support for compatible accessories
The changes are part of Apple’s compliance efforts with the Digital Markets Act, allowing devices like smartwatches and earbuds to integrate more deeply with iPhone.
iCloud Sync Fixes
iOS 26.5 also fixes a bug that prevented some iPhone users from syncing data with iCloud, including passwords stored in Apple Passwords. The fix has been rolled out in iOS 26.4.1 as well.
Siri upgrades may wait for iOS 27
Despite earlier expectations, the current betas still do not include new capabilities for Siri.
That suggests Apple may be saving larger Siri upgrades for iOS 27, which is expected to be previewed later this year at WWDC.
When will iOS 26.5 launch?
Apple typically releases several developer betas before a public launch.
A public beta of iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 is expected soon, followed by a full release later in the beta cycle.
If you spot new features in the latest beta, Apple will likely refine them in upcoming builds.
