Apple has seeded the second developer beta of iOS 26.5, keeping up its steady pre-WWDC release cadence. The iOS 26.5 Beta 2 update is relatively focused — this is not a feature-packed drop — but it carries several meaningful changes, particularly for users in the European Union, alongside minor refinements that will land on every supported iPhone before the big June keynote.
If you have been following Apple’s software updates closely this year, you already know that iOS 26.4 brought ChatGPT integration for CarPlay and a collection of practical improvements. iOS 26.5 continues that incremental rhythm, setting the stage for what is expected to be a landmark WWDC.
What Is New in iOS 26.5 Beta 2
The headline story in iOS 26.5 is compliance rather than consumer features. Apple is using this update to fulfill several obligations under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, which continues to push significant changes to how iOS works in EU member states.
EU Notification Forwarding
For users in the European Union, iOS 26.5 introduces Notification Forwarding, a feature that lets iPhones relay notifications to third-party devices and accessories in the same way AirPods and Apple Watch already receive them. This brings parity for third-party earbuds and smartwatches that have long been locked out of seamless iOS notification delivery.
This change is only available in supported EU regions and is a direct result of Apple’s Digital Markets Act obligations, not a voluntary feature expansion.
Proximity Pairing for Third-Party Accessories
Alongside notification forwarding, iOS 26.5 adds AirPods-style proximity pairing for third-party Bluetooth accessories in the EU. When a compatible third-party earbud or wearable is near your iPhone, you will see a pairing prompt appear automatically — the same smooth experience that has been exclusive to Apple’s own hardware until now.
Again, this is an EU-only feature for now, though it signals where Apple’s hand is being pushed by regulators.
Suggested Places in Apple Maps
On the global side, iOS 26.5 Beta 2 includes a new Suggested Places feature inside Apple Maps. The feature surfaces trending locations nearby and surfaces places based on your recent searches — a discovery tool that Apple Maps has been building toward for some time. It makes the app feel more proactive and useful when you are looking for somewhere to eat or explore without a specific destination in mind.
Other Changes and Refinements
Beyond the headliners, iOS 26.5 Beta 2 includes:
- Minor performance improvements and bug fixes carried over from the iOS 26.4 release cycle
- Under-the-hood infrastructure for features expected to ship later in the year
- Security patches that Apple has not yet detailed publicly
Notably absent from this beta is the significantly revamped Siri. Based on current reporting, the new Siri — which is expected to function more like a conversational chatbot with on-screen awareness — is not arriving until iOS 27, which Apple will unveil at WWDC 2026 in June. If you want the full picture of what that might look like, our WWDC 2026 preview covers the Siri 2.0 expectations in detail.
Why Is Apple Skipping New Siri in iOS 26.5
This is the question many iPhone users are asking. Apple first promised a deeply upgraded Siri at WWDC 2024. The feature was delayed through 2025, missed another internal target tied to iOS 26.4, and is now confirmed to be a WWDC 2026 announcement rather than a surprise pre-summer drop.
The delay appears to be tied to the complexity of integrating Google’s Gemini models into Siri under Apple’s deepening AI partnership with Google, which goes significantly further than most observers initially understood. Apple is also opening Siri to rival AI assistants including Gemini, Claude, and Grok in iOS 27, a significant shift that requires careful engineering before it can ship publicly.
Earlier reporting suggested Siri Personal Intelligence was close to arriving, but Apple has clearly decided that WWDC is the right stage for that announcement — not a quiet beta drop.
Which iPhones Support iOS 26.5
iOS 26.5 follows the same device compatibility as iOS 26. Supported models include:
- iPhone 11 and all later models
- iPhone XS and XR users are on iOS 18.x and will not receive iOS 26.5
- iPads running iPadOS 26 receive the equivalent iPadOS 26.5 beta simultaneously
If your device supports iOS 26, it will receive iOS 26.5 when it reaches public release.
When Will iOS 26.5 Release to the Public
Apple has not confirmed a specific public release date for iOS 26.5. Based on current beta progress and Apple’s typical update cadence, the public release is expected sometime in April or May 2026 — well before the WWDC keynote on June 8.
If you want to install the developer beta now, you need to enroll your device in Apple’s developer program and download the profile from the Apple Developer portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is new in iOS 26.5 Beta 2?
iOS 26.5 Beta 2 adds EU-specific features including Notification Forwarding and proximity pairing for third-party accessories, a new Suggested Places feature in Apple Maps, performance improvements, and security fixes. It does not include the new Siri chatbot experience, which is expected at WWDC 2026.
Does iOS 26.5 have the new Siri?
No. The significantly revamped Siri, which is expected to behave more like a conversational AI chatbot with on-screen awareness, is not in iOS 26.5. Apple is expected to announce it at WWDC 2026 in June as part of iOS 27.
Is iOS 26.5 Beta 2 available for the public?
No. iOS 26.5 Beta 2 is currently available only for enrolled Apple Developer Program members. A public release is expected in April or May 2026.
What iPhones are compatible with iOS 26.5?
iOS 26.5 is compatible with iPhone 11 and later. Devices that cannot go beyond iOS 18 — such as iPhone XS, XR, and older — will not receive this update.
What are the EU changes in iOS 26.5?
For users in European Union countries, iOS 26.5 brings Notification Forwarding and AirPods-style proximity pairing for third-party accessories. These are regulatory changes required under the EU’s Digital Markets Act and are not available in other regions.
What to Expect Next
iOS 26.5 is a maintenance and compliance update in all the ways that matter for most iPhone users. The EU-facing features are meaningful but invisible to the rest of the world, and the Suggested Places Maps feature is a welcome quality-of-life improvement rather than a landmark addition.
The real story is coming in June. With WWDC 2026 set for June 8 to 12, Apple is expected to reveal iOS 27, a new Siri built around Gemini AI, and potentially a Liquid Glass intensity slider that has divided design opinions since iOS 26 launched. Keep an eye on our WWDC 2026 coverage hub for every announcement as it happens.
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