IOS 26.5 beta 1 is now rolling out to registered developers, offering an early look at Apple's next wave of iPhone features.

One of the most noticeable changes in iOS 26.5 beta 1 appears in Apple Maps, which now includes a Suggested Places section showing trending locations based on nearby hotspots and a user's recent searches.

Code in the software also lays the groundwork for Maps ads, with businesses expected to be able to pay for sponsored listings in search results and within Suggested Places later this year.

Messaging sees a significant privacy enhancement, as Apple has re-enabled end-to-end encryption for RCS chats between iPhone and Android devices in this beta. The feature, previously pulled before the public release of iOS 26.4, is now enabled by default, with a dedicated End-to-End Encryption toggle in the Messages section of Settings. Encrypted RCS conversations cannot be intercepted and read by third parties, bringing cross-platform messaging closer to the security level of iMessage.

Apple is continuing to test interoperability changes in the European Union to comply with the Digital Markets Act. iOS 26.5 beta 1 includes proximity pairing for third-party accessories, allowing compatible earbuds and wearables to connect with a single tap when brought near an iPhone or iPad. Live Activities can also sync to third-party wearables, extending glanceable updates beyond Apple Watch.

The beta further refines accessory connections over USB-C and adds an option to limit how many message attachments are transferred when moving from an iPhone to an Android device. These changes underline Apple's gradual shift toward more open device ecosystems under regulatory pressure in Europe.