{"id":402533,"date":"2026-04-29T02:43:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T02:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/402533\/"},"modified":"2026-04-29T02:43:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T02:43:15","slug":"ios-26-5-new-features-release-date-more-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/402533\/","title":{"rendered":"iOS 26.5: New features, release date, more"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Following last month\u2019s release<\/a> of iOS 26.4, Apple is now beta testing iOS 26.5. Here are all the details on new features and changes on the way for iPhone users with iOS 26.5, which will be released next month. <\/p>\n

Updated April 28, 2026 with latest details from iOS 26.5 beta 3. <\/p>\n

iOS 26.5 details<\/p>\n

So far, Apple has released three betas of iOS 26.5.; The update is available to developers and public beta users. iPhone users can head to the Settings app, choose General, then choose Software Update to manage their beta enrollment.<\/p>\n

I expect iOS 26.5 beta 4 to be released as soon as next week.<\/p>\n

iOS 26.5 release date<\/p>\n

As my colleague Ryan outlined recently<\/a>, iOS 26.5 will likely be released to the general public sometime in mid May.<\/p>\n

iOS 18.5: Monday, May 12<\/p>\n

iOS 17.5: Monday, May 13<\/p>\n

iOS 16.5: Thursday, May 18<\/p>\n

iOS 15.5: Monday, May 16<\/p>\n

In a developer announcement<\/a> about new App Store features, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.5 will be released sometime in May. <\/p>\n

iOS 26.5 features and changes<\/p>\n

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Apple Maps: Suggested Places, ads coming soon<\/p>\n

Last month, Apple announced its plans to bring ads to Apple Maps this summer. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for that change, adding the following text: \u201cMaps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search.\u201d<\/p>\n

As of iOS 26.5 beta 2, this popup will appear<\/a> the first time iPhone users open Apple Maps after updating. <\/p>\n

iOS 26.5 also enables a new Suggested Places feature in Apple Maps. This feature, which you can see above, will \u201cdisplay recommendations based on what\u2019s trending nearby, the user\u2019s recent searches, and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

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RCS encryption<\/p>\n

Apple started testing<\/a> end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging with iOS 26.4. The feature, however, didn\u2019t actually ship as part of that update. Apple said it would come as part of a future iOS 26 update.<\/p>\n

With iOS 26.5 beta 1, RCS encryption has returned<\/a> to the Messages app. The feature is enabled by default. You can manage the option by going to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging, where you\u2019ll see a new \u201cEnd-to-End Encryption (Beta)\u201d toggle.<\/p>\n

Apple\u2019s release notes for iOS 26.5 don\u2019t include any mention of the feature not shipping with iOS 26.5, unlike the iOS 26.4 release notes. We\u2019ll have to wait and see to know for sure.<\/p>\n

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App Store purchase options<\/p>\n

According to Apple\u2019s developer release notes<\/a>, iOS 26.5 will enable new purchase options in the App Store. This will include an option that will let developers bill users monthly, but with a 12-month commitment. This is common on many other app store-style platforms and with many subscription services.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can read pricing information for subscriptions that have a monthly with 12-month commitment billing plan configuration\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can specify the billing plan type to use for subscriptions that have a monthly with 12-month commitment billing plan configuration\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

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Apple further detailed<\/a> this change in a developer announcement following the release of iOS 26.5 beta 3: <\/p>\n

Today, we\u2019re introducing a new way that people can pay for your auto-renewable subscriptions on the App\u00a0Store: monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment. This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable options. People can cancel their subscription at any time, which will prevent the subscription from renewing after they\u2019ve completed their agreed-to payments to fulfill their commitment.<\/p>\n

To provide transparency, people can easily view the number of completed and remaining payments for the subscription in their Apple\u00a0Account. Apple will also send email and, if opted in, push notifications ahead of their renewal date to remind them of their upcoming purchase.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, this option will be available in the App Store around the world \u2026 but not in the United States or Singapore. Apple hasn\u2019t explained why. <\/p>\n

EU changes<\/p>\n

Stop me if you\u2019ve heard this before: there are more changes for iPhone users in the EU. As part of iOS 26.5, Apple is testing Live Activities<\/a> support for third-party accessories. This will allow accessories to receive and display Live Activities from an iPhone.<\/p>\n

Additionally, there\u2019s continued development of support for notifications and proximity pairing for third-party accessories. Third-party audio switching<\/a>\u00a0is also in the works.<\/p>\n

Magic pairing<\/p>\n

With iOS 26.5, it\u2019s now easier to pair a Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse to your iPhone or iPhone. When you connect one of those accessories via USB-C, it will now remain connected via Bluetooth once you unplug it. You no longer have to pair it manually the Settings app.<\/p>\n

More iOS 26.5 changes<\/p>\n

Finally, iOS 26.5 introduces a few minor updates:<\/p>\n

New Inuktitut keyboard layout<\/p>\n

Apple Books Features: There are hints at new \u201cYear In Review for 2026\u201d features for Apple Books, including titles and medals for achievements like The Loyal Reader, Reading Royalty, The Power Reader, and more.<\/p>\n

Data Transfer Options: When transferring data from iPhone to Android, there are new options for sharing message attachments: None, 30 days, 1 year, or all.<\/p>\n

iOS 26.5 wrap up<\/p>\n

As you can see, iOS 26.5 is a relatively small update compared to iOS 26.4. Internally, a lot of Apple\u2019s attention is dedicated to iOS 27 at this point<\/a>, which is set to be announced at WWDC in June<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Have you spotted any other iOS 26.5 changes? Are there any last-minute updates you hope Apple makes to iOS 26 before focus shifts to iOS 27? Let us know down in the comments.<\/p>\n

My favorite iPhone accessories:<\/p>\n

Follow Chance:\u00a0Threads<\/a>,\u00a0Bluesky<\/a>,\u00a0Instagram<\/a>, and\u00a0Mastodon<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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