iOS 26.5 is now available to developers, and while it doesn't include the long-awaited features for Siri, there are significant changes for the European Union, as well as smaller tweaks for features available worldwide.
Apple Maps: Recommended Places
In the Maps app , there's a new " Suggested Places " feature that suggests places to visit based on popular places near you and recent searches . When Apple launches ads in Maps, ads will appear as well.
Ads on Apple Maps
iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for ads in the Maps app. Apple plans to bring ads this summer. Businesses will be able to buy ads that appear in search results and in Suggested Places.
See also: Gurman: iOS 27 will be similar to Mac OS X Snow Leopard
The code in iOS 26.5 states: “Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or the map view while you search.” The ads will be clearly labeled “ad.”
End-to-End Encryption for RCS
Apple has re-enabled end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. The company tested the feature in the iOS 26.4 beta, but did not include E2EE in the final release.
There's now a toggle for End-to-End Encryption in the Messages section of the Settings app. The feature is on by default. E2EE for RCS means that conversations between iPhone and Android users are encrypted and can't be intercepted and read by third parties.
See also: Liquid Glass: No major changes expected in iOS 27 / macOS 27
Changes for Third-Party Mobile Devices in the European Union
Apple is working on new interoperability features in the EUto comply with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act. Apple has tested these features in previous betas, but the feature Live Activity sharing is new.
– Proximity Pairing: Devices, such as headphones, will be able to connect to an iOS device in a similar way to AirPods, by bringing the accessory close to an iPhone or iPad to initiate a simple one-tap pairing process. Pairing third-party devices will no longer require multiple steps.
– Notifications: Third-party accessories, such as smartwatches, will be able to receive notifications from iPhone. Users will be able to see and react to incoming notifications, something that is usually limited to the Apple Watch. Notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time. Enabling notifications for a third-party device disables notifications on the Apple Watch.
– Live Activities: Live Activities can be synced to a third-party mobile device, similar to other notifications.
This is a feature that appears to be new in iOS 26.5.
There is no information on when third-party mobile device capabilities will launch in the EU.
Transfer from iPhone to Android
When switching from an iPhone to an Android device, there appears to be a new setting for transferring message attachments. There are options for Everything, 1 year, or 30 days.
See also: Android vs iOS: Which operating system is more secure?
Magic Accessories
When you connect an accessory like the Magic Keyboard to an iPhone via USB-C, the iPhone will automatically create a Bluetooth connection with the accessory.
Apple Books
There are reports of new awards in the Apple Books app, which likely pertain to annual reviews.
Keyboard Layout
iOS 26.5 has an Inuktitut.
iOS 26.5 may not bring the much-talked-about Siri upgrades, but it clearly reveals Apple's strategic direction for the immediate future. On the one hand, the integration of ads in Apple Maps and the new Suggested Places feature show that the company is seeking to more commercially exploit its core services, following the model that competitors have been implementing for years. On the other hand, the return of end-to-end encryption to RCS messages highlights that Apple continues to invest in privacy as a key competitive advantage, even in a more "open" communication environment with Android devices.
At the same time, the changes imposed by the European Union show that Apple is being forced – albeit gradually – to relax its tight control over its ecosystem. Improved interoperability with third-party devices and new usage scenarios show a company that is adapting under pressure, but without completely abandoning its philosophy. Overall, iOS 26.5 is not an impressive feature-level upgrade, but it is an important example of the balance that Apple tries to maintain between innovation, regulation and maintaining control over its ecosystem.
Source: www.macrumors.com
