The arrival of iOS 26.5 public beta 1 marks Apple's last major step before the final leap to iOS 27After several weeks of testing with the developer beta, the company is now opening this version to any user enrolled in the beta program, allowing them to test in advance an update that, although intermediate, comes loaded with relevant adjustments.
This version focuses on Three major areas of focus: interoperability in Europe, messaging security, and new features in services like Apple MapsAt the same time, it reaffirms something that was already taken for granted within the ecosystem: the deep overhaul of Siri and the major rollout of Apple Intelligence will have to wait for the next major version of the system.
A bridge update on Apple's calendar
iOS 26.5 is positioned as a transitional update between the big fall release and the iOS 27 reveal at WWDCApple's plan is to keep this beta in testing for a few weeks, with several minor iterations, until reaching the stable build.
If there are no script changes, The final version of iOS 26.5 should arrive in late May or the first weeks of June.Just in time for the spotlight to shift to iOS 27 during the developers conference. This is the pattern the company has followed in previous years: closing the current version's lifecycle with a final, relatively powerful update before unveiling the next generation.
This time, Apple has maintained a high pace: iOS 26.4 was released very recently and The iOS 26.5 developer beta was released almost immediately afterward., now followed by public beta 1. From here on, we can expect a trickle of new betas every one or two weeks, fixing bugs and polishing features.
For those who don't want to wait for the stable version, The public beta offers an official and free way to get ahead.However, this comes with the usual precautions involved in installing trial software on the mobile phone we use daily.
Siri and Apple Intelligence: the big absence remains the same
Who would have expected iOS 26.5 to bring Siri's great reinvention You're in for another disappointment. Neither the developer beta nor this first public beta includes any visible changes to the interface or the assistant's behavior. The Siri experience remains, in practice, the same as in iOS 26.4.
For months there had been speculation that iOS 26.4 could be the moment chosen to debut the new Siri based on Apple IntelligenceAnd, with that bullet exhausted, many looked to iOS 26.5 as their last chance before summer. However, with WWDC already scheduled for June 8, everything suggests that Apple has preferred to save that headline for the announcement of iOS 27.
It makes sense from a strategic point of view: It doesn't seem logical to include one of the year's biggest new features in an update that will only be around for a couple of months. before being overshadowed by the next version. The company usually reserves its major AI and user experience features for its core releases.
The only clue that work is progressing behind the scenes has been the A brief and accidental glimpse of Apple Intelligence in China during the iOS 26.5 cycleBefore the feature was quickly removed from the settings because it hadn't yet received approval from the country's authorities, it was included. Beyond that slip-up, there's no functional trace of this new AI layer in the iOS 26.5 public beta.
Europe at the center: interoperability and DMA
Where there is real movement is in the area of interoperability required by the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European UnionMany of the visible new features in iOS 26.5 public beta 1 are focused on European users, following the line of changes that Apple had already begun to introduce in previous updates.
The company is reactivating, and this time expanding, Features designed to make the iPhone work better with third-party accessoriesMany of them had already been seen in iOS 26.3 betas and iOS 26.4, but were withdrawn before the stable versions reached the general public, creating a rollercoaster feeling among those who were testing the system.
This public beta of iOS 26.5 continues the experiment with the proximity matching for compatible accessories. The idea is to approximate the experience that AirPods offer today: simply bring the device close to the iPhone and a one-tap connection dialog box will appear on the screen, without complicated menus or additional steps.
The option to also remain active is also available. smartwatches and other third-party wearables can receive and display iPhone notificationsUntil now, such deep integration was practically reserved for the Apple Watch, so this opening may be relevant for the European accessories market.
Live Activities for third-party accessories: the next step
The most striking new development in this European bloc is the arrival of the Live Activities on non-Apple devicesUntil now, this feature was mainly associated with the Apple Watch and the system's own apps, but the iOS 26.5 public beta opens the door for external accessories to display real-time information.
This means that, if manufacturers adapt, A third-party watch or connected accessory will be able to display live data related to the iPhoneStep-by-step navigation, tracking of food or package orders, timers, workout status, and other similar content that depends on mobile apps.
The system relies on the Live Activities infrastructure already present in iOS, but extends that information to the third-party ecosystemFor European users, this represents a further step towards a less closed environment, in line with the philosophy behind the DMA: to prevent a single manufacturer from completely monopolizing certain key functions.
However, we must be cautious. Apple has already shown that It does not hesitate to withdraw these new features during the beta cycle if it detects technical or regulatory compliance problems.The fact that iOS 26.5 not only recovers them but expands upon them is a good sign that the work is going in the right direction, but it doesn't guarantee one hundred percent that all of them will make it to the stable version.
In Spain and the rest of the European Union, these features will be especially interesting for users who combine the iPhone with devices from other brands, from watches to sports bracelets, including headphones or more specialized accessories.
End-to-end encryption for RCS makes a comeback
Another significant change in iOS 26.5 public beta 1 concerns messaging. Apple continues to refine the Implementation of RCS (Rich Communication Services) between iPhone and Android, and reactivates end-to-end encryption for this type of message, something we had already seen in previous tests.
In the iOS 26.4 phase, encryption appeared in some beta versions, but It ended up disappearing from the final versionThis time, the setting is present again and enabled by default, and the most striking thing is that it is no longer mentioned so explicitly that it could be dropped from the list of features before the general release.
Within Settings > Messages, in the section dedicated to RCS messaging, users can find a switch that refers to the end-to-end encryptionApple clarifies that it is still a feature in testing and will depend on carrier and device compatibility, but conversations marked as encrypted are protected throughout the entire journey between one phone and another.
If this feature is retained in the stable version, RCS chats between iPhone and Android users will benefit from an additional layer of security. similar to that already enjoyed by services like iMessage or most current messaging apps, reducing the risk of third parties intercepting or reading messages.
For those in Spain or other European countries who combine contacts with iPhones and Android phones, this improvement could be especially interesting, provided that local operators eventually align themselves with Apple's proposed RCS implementation.
Apple Maps: suggested places and advertising, but not in the EU
The other major set of changes in iOS 26.5 public beta 1 is found in Apple MapsHowever, there is an important nuance: The most visible new features are initially designed for markets outside the European UnionTherefore, Spanish users, at least for the time being, will not see all these adjustments in their daily lives.
In countries where it is fully activated, the app incorporates a new section called "Suggested places"When you tap on the search box, instead of just showing the history, the system suggests trending sites near the user, combining those suggestions with recent searches to offer somewhat more personalized recommendations.
Meanwhile, Apple is preparing for the arrival of ads within MapsThe beta code itself already includes informational messages explaining that the service will be able to display local advertising based on approximate location, keywords entered in the search engine, or the area of ​​the map being viewed at any given time.
These ads will appear both in the search results area and in the suggested places section, and They will always be clearly labeled as sponsored contentThe company plans to activate this advertising aspect throughout the summer, thus expanding the monetization avenues of its service ecosystem.
In the case of the European Union, Apple has indicated that Neither the ad layer nor this specific version of suggested places will be available, at least in the first phase.This is likely due to privacy and competition regulations. In practice, this means that in Spain we will continue to have a Maps app with fewer ads, although we will also lack some of the contextual recommendations that users in other markets will see.
Improvements to accessories, data migration, and system apps
Beyond the big headlines, iOS 26.5 public beta 1 includes a good handful of minor changes scattered throughout different parts of the systemwhich may go unnoticed but help round out the daily experience with the iPhone.
In the accessories section, when you connect a Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad via USB-C to iPhoneThe system now automatically completes Bluetooth pairing. Previously, it was necessary to go into Settings and finish the process manually; with this version, simply plug in the accessory for it to pair wirelessly.
The tools designed for those who switch platforms have also been refined. When it comes to Export data from an iPhone to an Android deviceThe beta version introduces new options for choosing which message attachments are included in the transfer. You can discard all attachments, limit yourself to those from the last 30 days, those from the last full year, or copy absolutely everything.
In the App Store, the code for iOS 26.5 refers to New subscription options with monthly billing but a twelve-month commitmentIn practical terms, this could translate into new types of plans within the apps, with adjusted prices in exchange for accepting a longer commitment, although for now Apple has not publicly detailed how it plans to present these options.
Apple Books, for its part, incorporates signs of a annual reading summary for the most active userswith statistics and medals in the style of year-end music compilations. In addition, a new keyboard layout for the Inuktitut language has arrived, thus expanding the range of languages ​​supported by the system globally.
Public Beta 1 vs. Developer Beta: What's Changed and How to Install It
Although the The iOS 26.5 public beta and the developer beta share virtually the same codeApple maintains a certain time lag between the two. First, it releases the builds to the developer channel, where the most serious bugs are detected, and a few days later it extends the same version to the public beta program.
Essentially, the difference lies not so much in the functions as in the time of access. The developer beta is released right after it's announcedDesigned for those who need to adapt their applications and detect incompatibilities as early as possible. The public beta, on the other hand, usually arrives when the most critical bugs have already been fixed.
To install iOS 26.5 public beta 1 officially and for free, simply use your iPhone:
- Access the website beta.apple.com from Safari and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Register the device in the beta software program, following the instructions on the page.
- Go to Settings > General > Software update.
- Tap on "Beta updates" and select "iOS 26 Public Beta" as a preferred channel.
- Return to the main update screen and download iOS 26.5 public beta 1 when it becomes available.
Those who prefer the developer channel will have to Register in advance at developer.apple.comLog in to the "Account" section and accept the program terms. After that, the process for activating beta updates on your iPhone is very similar; simply select the option. "iOS 26 Developer Beta" in the corresponding menu.
In any case, it is worth remembering that Beta versions may cause bugs, unexpected app crashes, or lower than usual performance.Apple recommends, and experience confirms, that updates should preferably be installed on a second device or, at the very least, that a full backup be made before updating.
With this set of changes, iOS 26.5 public beta 1 is positioned as a Midterm update but quite heavy on background featuresIt strengthens interoperability in Europe, takes another step in protecting RCS messages, and begins to shape the future of Apple Maps in markets where advertising will play a bigger role, while Siri and Apple Intelligence remain locked away awaiting the big stage of iOS 27.
