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Apple Releases Second Betas of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.5

The new build signals Apple’s focus on encrypted RCS messaging alongside early Maps advertising.

Overview

  • Apple made the second beta builds of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.5 available to enrolled testers.
  • The betas continue work on RCS, a cross‑platform carrier texting standard, with end‑to‑end encryption.
  • The software includes code to place ads in Apple Maps, a change the article says most users will not welcome.
  • For most people, the current public versions remain iOS 26.4.1, iPadOS 26.4.1, and macOS Tahoe 26.4.1.
  • Enrolled testers can install the updates through Software Update, and Apple usually ships several betas before a final release as focus shifts to OS 27 for WWDC in the week of June 8.