Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 26.5, opening up early access to its next iPhone software update for users enrolled in the public beta programme. The rollout comes shortly after the iOS 26.5 developer beta, which was released earlier this week. iOS 26.5 public beta 1 focuses on smaller feature additions and refinements than major upgrades, as Apple continues to fine-tune the OS.
iOS 26.5 Public Beta 1 Features
One of the key additions in the iOS 26.5 public beta is a new "Suggested Places" feature in Apple Maps. This enhancement aims to improve discovery by surfacing location recommendations directly within search, based on user behaviour and trending spots.
Apple is also testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging in this beta. If widely rolled out, this could significantly enhance privacy for conversations between iPhone and Android users.
In addition, the iOS 26.5 public beta 1 update introduces region-specific changes. In Europe, Apple is experimenting with enabling Live Activities support for third-party accessories, likely in response to evolving regulatory requirements in the region.
At this stage, iOS 26.5 appears to be a relatively minor update, with no major Siri or AI-related enhancements included in the initial beta. This suggests Apple may be reserving larger upgrades for iOS 27, expected to debut at the upcoming WWDC 2026.
For now, the iOS 26.5 public beta update brings incremental but meaningful improvements, particularly in Maps discovery and messaging privacy.
That said, eligible users can update to the latest iOS 26.5 beta 1 build by going to Settings> General> Software Update> Update Now. As for which users are eligible, those who are on the iPhone 11 and above can take advantage of the latest iOS update.
