Apple releases iOS 26.5 public beta with Suggested Places in Maps and groundwork for ads

Apple has rolled out the first public beta of iOS 26.5, just days after the developer beta landed earlier this week. The update’s headline addition is a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps that recommends nearby restaurants and other spots based on local trends and your recent searches—visible the moment you tap the search bar.But Maps isn’t just getting smarter recommendations. iOS 26.5 also lays the groundwork for ads inside the app, a move Apple confirmed back in March as part of its plan to expand advertising beyond the App Store and Apple News. The ads will appear at the top of search results and within the Suggested Places list, drawn from your approximate location, search terms, and what you’re currently viewing on the map. Apple says every ad will carry a clear label, and that your location data and ad interactions won’t be tied to your Apple Account.The beta also re-enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users—a feature Apple tested in the iOS 26.4 beta but quietly pulled before the public release. This time, E2EE is enabled by default in the Messages settings, ensuring that cross-platform conversations are encrypted from the start. In the EU specifically, Apple is testing interoperability features mandated by the Digital Markets Act, including the ability to push Live Activities to third-party wearables—a new addition for iOS 26.5. Other smaller tweaks include automatic Bluetooth pairing for Magic Keyboard over USB-C, an Inuktitut keyboard layout, and new attachment transfer options when switching from iPhone to Android.To try the beta, sign up through Apple’s Beta Software Program website.