iOS 26.5 beta brings significant changes to Apple Maps and RCS

Apple on Friday iOS 26.5 public beta released its version. Thus, the company opened the update to a wider user base a few days after the developer beta. The most visible innovation of the version is Apple Maps in Suggested Places It became a feature. When you touch the search bar, suggestions for popular places in the immediate area and past searches appear on the screen.

However, with this version Apple Apple Maps ads It also tests the screens it prepared for. The company announced the advertisements in its official statement in March. App Store And Apple News He confirmed that he would move it abroad. These ads are shown based on location information, search terms in Maps, and places viewed. Ads appear at the top of search results and Suggested Places located in the field.

On the other hand, Apple states that ads will be clearly marked. Current location and advertising interactions according to the information provided by the company Your Apple Account It is not associated with. In addition, your personal data remains on the iPhone and Apple does not collect this data. New screens on the Maps side are also seen in the beta version with these informational texts.

Moreover iOS 26.5 beta, RCS messages It reintroduces end-to-end encryption testing for Since Apple has tried this feature before, this is not the first time the testing process has been experienced. However, the company has not yet announced whether this protection will be offered with the stable version. Those who want to switch to the public beta version Apple Beta Software Program You can register with your Apple account from the page.

Apple Maps search screen expands with ads

Suggested Placesdirectly replaces the suggestion section that appears when the search field is tapped in Apple Maps. This section lists prominent restaurants and different businesses in the immediate area on a single screen. In addition, recent searches are also shown as part of the recommendation logic. Thus, the application is not just a service that gives directions and makes the location discovery side more visible.

However, the advertising warnings seen in iOS 26.5 do not indicate that the actual opening is made immediately. Apple in its announcement in March Maps ads to launch in US and Canada in summer 2026 He announced that he would present it. For this reason, the screens seen in the public beta version reflect the trial steps prepared before the full opening of the ads. With the top of the search results Suggested Places list stand out as the two main areas chosen for ad placement.

In addition, Apple clearly defines certain limits on the privacy side. The company says ads will not be linked to the user profile and personal data will not be removed from the device. Thus, the commercial settlements seen in Maps are presented with the privacy approach that Apple has always emphasized. As the visibility channel expands for local businesses, the Maps search page is also taking on a more commercial look.

On the other hand RCS end-to-end encryption The test also concerns the messaging side between iPhone and Android. GSMAin March 2025 RCS Universal Profile 3.0 announced end-to-end encryption requirements in . Information was also shared that this protection was tested between Android and iOS devices in March 2026. Apple did not give a clear date as to whether it would include this support in the final version of iOS 26.5.

Those who want to install the public beta version, beta.apple.com You can join the program via . However, application incompatibility, battery consumption and stability problems may occur on devices using beta software. iOS 26.5 public beta is at this stage Apple Maps ads, Suggested Places And RCS encryption It is shaped around the titles. All prominent changes of the version are currently being tested in the public beta channel.