Apple released the second public beta of iOS 26.5 on Tuesdayabout three weeks after the company released the massive iOS 26.4 updatewhich included new emojivideo podcasts and more. The iOS 26.5 beta brings a few smaller -- but significant -- changes to the iPhones of developers and beta testersincluding a screen in Maps heralding ads in the app and end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging.
Because this is a betaI recommend downloading it only on something other than your primary device. This isn't the final version of iOS 26.5so the update might be buggy and battery life may be shortenedso it's best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.
Alsosince this isn't the final version of iOS 26.5Apple could add more features to the update before it arrives on your iPhone.
Here are some features developers and beta testers can try nowand what could land on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5.
Ads could arrive in Maps soon
If you open your Maps app after downloading the iOS 26.5 betayou'll see a new splash screen that announces the arrival of ads in the app.
"Maps may show local ads based on your approximate locationcurrent search termsor view of the map while you search," Apple says. "For your privacyadvertising information is not linked to your Apple Account."
Apple announced Apple Business in Marchallowing companies to connect with customers via some of Apple's first-party appssuch as Mail and Wallet. Apple Business also lets companies place local ads in Maps. So you could start seeing ads in Maps for the coffee shop down the street from your home.
Suggested Places in Maps
The iOS 26.5 beta also brings a new section called Suggested Places to your Maps app. Once in the apptap your Search bar like you're going to look up a nearby cafe or restaurantand the section Suggested Places will appear below Recents.
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging returns
The iOS 26.5 beta brings back an option to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on your device. When Apple brought RCS messaging to iPhones with iOS 18one feature the messaging protocol was missing was end-to-end encryptionand iOS 26.5 could finally bring this privacy protection to your iPhone.
To find this settinggo to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and tap the slider next to End-to-End Encryption (Beta).
Apple writes in the feature's description that it's still in betaand it works only on certain carriers and devices. Apple also writes that these encrypted messages will be labeled as suchso you should know when your messages do and don't have this level of protection.
Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta versions of iOS 26.4but the tech giant didn't include the feature in the final release.
Those are a few of the new features developers and public beta testers can try now with the second public beta of iOS 26.5. There will likely be more betas before the OS is released to the publicso there's plenty of time for Apple to change these features and add others. Apple has not said when it will release iOS 26.5 to the general public.
For more iOS newshere's everything you should know about iOS 26.4 and iOS 26.3. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet.
