Apple has been fielding the third beta of iOS 26.5 since late March, rolling it out this week. The build adds only modest tweaks as the company pivots toward the upcoming iOS 27, slated for a June 8 WWDC unveiling and a September public launch. Developers can already test the new code, but most eyes are on the next major release.

The beta lays groundwork for two consumer‑facing changes. First, Messages will support end‑to‑end RCS encryption, protecting cross‑platform chats between iPhone and Android devices from interception. Second, Apple Maps is being prepped to serve local ads in the U.S. and Canada, appearing in search results and a new “Suggested Places” row, all labeled clearly and kept separate from users’ Apple IDs.

Beyond those features, the EU build extends iPhone‑only capabilities—notifications, Live Activities and AirPods‑style pairing—to third‑party wearables to satisfy the Digital Markets Act. Aside from a handful of minor UI tweaks, the update offers little else. Apple plans a May rollout, giving users a preview before the September shift to iOS 27. It also tightens battery reporting and refines Siri shortcuts.