The arrival of the iOS 26.5 public beta It's approaching, and the system is already showing quite clearly where Apple is heading in this final stretch of the iOS 26 cycle. It's not a revolutionary update, but it is a version loaded with small changes that, added together, better paint a picture of what we will see in the coming months on the iPhone.
This time, the company is once again focusing on Interoperability in Europe, privacy in messaging, and adjustments to key services like MapsMeanwhile, the major Siri overhaul linked to Apple Intelligence remains on hold once again. For Spanish and European users, much of the appeal of iOS 26.5 lies precisely in the set of new features regulated by the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
General features of iOS 26.5 and release schedule
Apple has already released the first beta of iOS 26.5 for developersJust days after the stable release of iOS 26.4, this move aligns with the company's typical spring release schedule. This first step will be followed, within days, by the public beta, which will be available for installation by any user enrolled in the testing program.
The pattern of recent years suggests that The final version of iOS 26.5 will be released in mid- to late MayPrevious x.5 versions arrived around May 12-18, so it's logical that iOS 26.5 will follow the same window: the week of May 11 is shaping up to be a candidate, with some margin of delay if any problems appear in the betas.
With this calendar, iOS 26.5 is positioned as a transition update before WWDCThe developers conference, which will be held in early June, is expected to feature the presentation of iOS 27 and most of the new Apple Intelligence features.
The release of this beta version doesn't come alone: ​​in parallel, Apple is also working with iPadOS 26.5, macOS, watchOS and tvOSAll of these are currently in developer testing and, in some cases, public beta. The goal is to repeat the company's usual strategy: polish details, prepare the ground, and maintain a steady pace of new features without revealing the big summer announcements.
For those who want to try the system now, the process is the classic one: registered developers download the beta from Settings> General> Software updateUsers who prefer the public beta can sign up on Apple's official website when the program for iOS 26.5 is activated.
Siri and Apple Intelligence: the big absentee from iOS 26.5
If there's one thing that stands out in this beta, it's precisely what It's nowhere to be found: the new SiriFor months there has been talk of a major overhaul of the assistant, supported by Apple Intelligence and advanced generative AI features, but this first beta version of iOS 26.5 leaves things exactly as they were.
La Siri's interface remains unchangedWithout new menus or information cards, the assistant's practical capabilities remain, for the user, unchanged. The feeling is that Apple has chosen not to rush things and instead integrate such an ambitious overhaul into an intermediate version that will only be available for a couple of months.
With WWDC already confirmed for early June, everything points to The grand unveiling of the new Siri will be reserved for iOS 27It's a logical move: launching such a powerful feature in a version that's going to be replaced soon would have little chance of success, both technically and in terms of media coverage.
Meanwhile, Apple continues working on rolling out Apple Intelligence in various markets. In fact, some launches have already taken place. accidental appearances of AI options in sensitive regions like Chinawhere the company collaborates with local suppliers to meet regulatory requirements. These moves reinforce the idea that development is progressing, but the rollout to the end user will be gradual and highly controlled.
Europe takes center stage: interoperability and DMA in iOS 26.5
The juiciest part of the beta, at least for those who use the iPhone in Spain and the rest of the EU, is in the measures that Apple continues to deploy to comply with the Digital Markets ActThis European regulation requires large platforms to further open up their ecosystems and facilitate interoperability with third-party products.
In iOS 26.5, this translates into a new boost to features that had already appeared in previous betas and which now complement each other: proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for external accessoriesThese are features that, until now, were closely linked to the Apple Watch and the company's own devices.
With proximity matching, the idea is that Simply bring a compatible accessory close to the iPhone. This will trigger the typical quick-connect animation and complete the pairing process without navigating through complicated menus. It's similar to what AirPods have been doing for years, but now open to third-party manufacturers.
The second block consists of the notifications sent to external devices such as smartwatches from other brandsThese devices will be able to display iPhone notifications in a way that, until now, was almost exclusively reserved for the Apple Watch. This is a significant change in terms of competition, because it reduces the barriers within Apple's own ecosystem.
The third leg is the Live Activities for third-party accessoriesThis new feature allows these devices to display real-time information: navigation, orders, timers, and app statuses that update dynamically. It's designed to extend to other players what Apple Watch users already enjoy.
It's worth noting, however, that Apple had already tested proximity pairing and notifications in previous betas (26.3 and 26.4and withdrew them before the final launchThere is no guarantee that all the features will survive to the final version this time, although the fact that they are returning reinforced with Live Activities indicates that the work is progressing.
RCS: End-to-end encryption between iPhone and Android
Another of iOS 26.5's strengths is in the Messages app, where End-to-end encryption for RCS chats comes into play again between iPhone and Android users. This feature had already been seen in the cycle of iOS 26.4But it disappeared just before reaching the general public.
In the new beta, the Encryption is enabled by default. And, unlike in previous cycles, the release notes don't include any visible warnings that it might be pulled at the last minute. It's not an official confirmation, but it does suggest the company is more confident in its implementation.
If it ultimately remains in the stable version, the Conversations between iPhone and Android will now be protected against third-party access.bringing the RCS experience closer to what users already take for granted in apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or iMessage.
The adjustment is managed from within the system itself: in Settings > Messages The switch that allows you to control this functionality appears, although in practice most users will not have to touch anything to benefit from the encryption.
Apple Maps: suggestions and advertising, but not for the EU
iOS 26.5 also gives a glimpse of where it's headed Apple MapsHowever, in this case, the main new features are geared towards markets outside the European Union. The beta includes a section called Suggested places (Suggested Places) that appears when you tap the search bar and shows Site recommendations based on local trends and recent searches.
The idea is for the application to stop being just a turn-by-turn navigator and increasingly become a everyday reference guide, capable of anticipating what type of venue, restaurant or point of interest may be useful depending on the context and location of the user.
Related to this, the iOS 26.5 code reveals that Apple is preparing for the arrival of ads within MapsInternal system messages mention localized advertising based on the user's approximate location, the search terms they type, or the current map view while browsing.
These ads will appear with clear identification labels and will be integrated into search results and the suggested places section itself. The company has already indicated that activation will take place in the summer, but it's worth emphasizing that, at least initially, They will not be deployed in the European Union due to the specific restrictions and obligations of the community market.
For users in Spain, this means that the visible improvements in Maps within iOS 26.5 will, for the time being, be quite discreet, while the more aggressive features in customization and monetization will be limited to other territories.
Small changes that complete the update
Beyond the major interoperability, messaging, and services improvements, iOS 26.5 adds a good number of Minor tweaks that quietly improve the everyday use of the iPhone and fine-tune some details that still need polishing.
One of them is in the accessory connection: when you plug in a Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, or Magic Trackpad to an iPhone with USB-CThe system automatically establishes the Bluetooth connection, without requiring the user to go into settings to complete the process. It's a small change, but it reduces friction for those who alternate between using their iPhone and accessories originally designed for the Mac or iPad.
Data migration to Android is also receiving attention. Now, when preparing an export, the system offers More detailed options for choosing which message attachments to includeYou can limit the transfer to the last 30 days, the last year, all files, or exclude them entirely. This is a welcome improvement for those who want to control storage space and transfer time.
In the App Store, iOS 26.5 incorporates new references to subscription models with monthly payments and a 12-month commitmentThese changes could transform how certain services are presented and charged within apps. Exact details haven't been revealed yet, but the move aligns with the industry trend toward more stable payment plans.
There are also changes in the content area: the code for the Books app includes references to a annual reading summary with statistics and achievementsA kind of report, similar to year-end music summaries, designed for very active users. In addition, a new keyboard layout for the Inuktitut language has been introduced, further expanding language support within the system.
iOS 26.5 Public Beta: What it is and how it works
With iOS 26.5, Apple repeats its usual strategy: First, it releases the developer beta and, a few weeks later, the public beta.Both share virtually the same code, but are aimed at different audiences and are released at slightly different times to reduce risks.
La developer beta It's designed for those who create applications or need to test their products in advance. It's usually released on the same day as the announcement and is updated frequently, from beta 1 to the latest release candidate. It's the earliest version, but also the one most likely to contain serious bugs.
La iOS 26.5 public betaHowever, it arrives later. Apple typically waits a few weeks after the initial developer beta to ensure there are no critical bugs. From then on, any user with a compatible iPhone can install it for free by signing up for the beta software program.
Although technically both versions are almost identical, that time difference between the developer beta and the public beta This is key: in those days it is the developers who encounter the most serious problems, so when the beta reaches the general public the level of stability is usually higher.
Therefore, even if the public beta is already available, it is still advisable to limit its use to a secondary device or, at the very least, perform a full backup Before installing it. Critical apps (banking, certificates, work) may behave unpredictably in trial versions.
How to install the iOS 26.5 developer beta
For those who need immediate access to the latest news and are willing to live with errors, the way forward lies in developer betaApple has greatly simplified the process in recent years and it is no longer necessary to install external profiles.
The steps, in practice, are quite straightforward. First, you have to Register on Apple's developer website (developer.apple.com) and enter the "Account" section with your Apple ID. After accepting the terms, the device is associated with the developer account, a process that is free for those who only want to try the system.
From there, simply go on your iPhone to Settings> General> Software updateWithin the "Beta Updates" section, the different available branches will appear, and you can select the iOS 26 developer branch so that the device downloads and installs beta 26.5 as if it were a regular update.
It is worth remembering that this route is geared towards advanced usersAn early beta version can cause unexpected app closures, abnormal battery consumption, or even render the device unusable in extreme cases, requiring a system restore from a computer.
How to install the iOS 26.5 public beta
For most curious users, the most sensible option will be to wait for the iOS 26.5 public betaApple will activate this feature shortly after the developer version has been available for a while. The process is equally simple and designed to require no technical input.
The first step is to use Safari on your iPhone to go to the page beta.apple.comFrom there, you need to log in with your Apple ID, enroll in the beta software program, and accept the terms of participation.
Once that's done, the device takes care of everything. Settings> General> Software update The "Beta Updates" section will appear, from which you can choose the "Public Beta" option corresponding to iOS 26.5 when Apple enables it.
By selecting that option, the system will offer the download as if it were a normal update. After installing it, the iPhone It will continue to receive new public betas every few weeks.until the final version is released and the standard update cycle resumes.
Although the public beta is theoretically more stable than the developer beta, it's still software in testing. It's advisable to avoid using it on your primary iPhone if you rely on your phone for work or if you use apps that might be sensitive to system changes.
Overall, this round of iOS 26.5 testing paints a picture of an update that looks squarely at Europe, strengthens messaging security, paves the way for new business models in services like Maps and the App Store, and polishes small, everyday details, while making it clear that the big fireworks—the new Siri and the full rollout of Apple Intelligence—are reserved for the next major version of the system and for what Apple plans to show at WWDC.
