Apple has released the first developer beta of iOS 26.5, along with updates for iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5. The rollout comes just one week after the stable iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4 updates reached users, showing a fast update cycle from the company.
The iOS 26.5 beta 1 update focuses on small improvements and bug fixes. However, it also brings a few notable changes that developers will notice early. For instance, the App Store now includes new purchase options, which may affect how apps handle transactions.
Meanwhile, Apple Maps is getting a visible tweak. A new ‘Suggested Places’ section appears inside the search box. This move aligns with Apple’s broader plan to expand ads within its ecosystem, although the company has not shared full details yet.
In addition, the update introduces support for RCS messaging, which improves communication between devices. It also adds Live Activities support for third-party accessories in the EU. Users can expect better accessory pairing as well, making connections more reliable.
There are also smaller updates that improve usability. A new Inuktitut keyboard layout has been added to support more languages. At the same time, Apple is working on better ways to share message attachments between iPhone and Android devices.
