• Source:JND
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Apple’s next iPhone update is already in testing, and while it may not look like a massive upgrade at first glance, there’s quite a bit happening under the surface. The company has started rolling out the first developer beta of iOS 26.5, just days after releasing iOS 26.4 as the latest stable version.

RCS Finnally Making A Comeback?

Interestingly, one feature that was expected earlier seems to be making a return here. Apple had previously tested end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android in beta builds, but it didn’t make it to the final iOS 26.4 release. Now, with iOS 26.5 beta 1, reports suggest that encrypted RCS messaging has been re-enabled. There’s said to be a toggle for it in settings, although it appears to be switched on by default, offering a more secure way to message across platforms.

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Tweaks To Maps

Beyond messaging, Apple is also tweaking its Maps experience. It seems that the company is also working on introducing a new “Suggested Places” feature, which might display trending places according to the location of the user or even the search terms entered on the device. This seems to be a minor addition, but it is also indicating that the company is planning to do much more. The underlying code also suggests that the company is planning to introduce search-based ads on the Maps application, where businesses might be able to promote themselves on the search results. These would be labelled clearly as ads, but it does point to a shift in how Apple Maps could evolve.

There are also a few changes that seem to be driven by regulatory pressure, especially in regions like the EU. Apple is said to be testing support for third-party accessories in a way that feels closer to its own ecosystem. For instance, true wireless earbuds from other brands might soon get a quicker pairing experience, similar to how AirPods connect. Alongside that, smartwatches from other companies could start receiving and interacting with notifications more seamlessly when paired with an iPhone.

Another notable addition is support for Live Activities syncing with third-party wearables. While Apple has tested parts of this before, this beta is reportedly the first time broader support is being explored.

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Other Small Changes Expected

There are also some smaller, practical tweaks. If you connect a Magic Keyboard to an iPhone using a USB Type-C cable, it may automatically switch to a Bluetooth connection. And for users moving from iPhone to Android, the update could allow selecting specific message attachments to transfer, instead of moving everything at once.

Overall, iOS 26.5 beta 1 feels less about flashy changes and more about quietly expanding features, improving cross-platform compatibility, and setting the stage for what Apple might do next.


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