iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 release candidates are now available for developers, marking the second beta wave since March. These updates, seeded five days after the first RC, hint at ongoing refinements, though specific changes remain undisclosed. Developers can access the betas via the Settings app under Software Update.

Notably, Siri features absent from this iteration suggest updates are reserved for iOS 27, slated for a June 8 WWDC debut. The Maps app introduces Suggested Places, leveraging trends and search history to recommend nearby locations, while Apple quietly tests end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages—a feature briefly tested in iOS 26.4 but removed pre-launch. A Pride-themed wallpaper and matching Apple Watch band also accompany the beta, aligning with Apple’s annual Pride celebrations.

While details are sparse, the updates signal incremental improvements ahead of iOS 27’s anticipated September rollout.