Apple is advancing its plans to bring ads to Apple Maps with the latest iOS 26.5 beta 2 now featuring a splash screen explaining how the advertisements will function. The new screen reveals that Maps may show local ads based on approximate location, current search terms, or map view while searching, marking Apple's entry into location-based advertising within its mapping service.

Despite the addition of advertising, Apple maintains its focus on privacy by ensuring advertising information remains unlinked to user Apple Accounts. The ads won't access the Visited Places feature, and no location data gets shared with third parties. Users can interact with ads by calling businesses, navigating to them, or placing orders, while advertisers gain flexibility to start and stop campaigns at any time.

The Apple Maps ads are scheduled to debut in summer 2026 initially for users in Canada and United States. The splash screen's appearance comes just before Apple Business rollout on April 14, which includes compatibility with the new ad system. While implementation continues, Apple Maps ads remain marked as "coming soon" on the company's website ahead of their official launch.