iOS 26.5 Public Beta 4 Update Rolls out for Eligible iPhones: Here's What's New

It has only been a week since the iOS 26.5 Public Beta 3 update was released and Apple has now already released the iOS 26.5 Public Beta 4 update. The latest iOS update follows up the previous builds by keeping the core foundation intact and bringing incremental improvements instead of massive new feature additions, ahead of the final stable release.

iOS 26.5 Public Beta 4 Update: What's New?

Every iOS 26.5 update so far has focused on the new changes Apple brought to Maps. The iOS 26.5 public beta 4 update is no different. Apple Maps on iOS 26-supported devices now includes a new "Suggested Places" feature that recommends locations, places, and relevant navigation details. It is similar to Google Maps and is designed to help users discover more about their locality or route.

Moreover, iOS 26.5 is the first major iOS update that has introduced sponsored adverts inside Apple Maps. The same has been further expanded with the public beta 4 update which now allows businesses run sponsored ads on Apple Maps to appear at the top of search results, suggested places and recommendations.

Also, with the beta 4 update, Apple has unlocked the ability to offer flexible subscription plans for developers. They will now be able to bill customers monthly with a 12-month commitment plan. This is done to help users opt for small monthly payments and avail discounted yearly plans. However, as of now, there is no option to opt out of an active plan midway.

Lastly, iOS 26.5 public beta 4 expands interoperability features further in the EU to comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. Third-party smartwatches are also now being listed under supported devices for receiving notifications from iPhones running iOS 26.5 and above. This also includes Live Activities syncing.

That said, the iOS 26.5 Public Beta 4 update is currently rolling out from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 17e. Users can download and install the new update by navigating to Settings -> General -> Software Update -> Update Now, or follow our quick guide on how to install iOS 26 beta on your iPhone to make things easier.