# What's New in iOS 26.5 Beta 1? **URL:** \ **Category:** iOS & iPadOS\ **Tags:** ios-26, featured\ **Created:** [March 30, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118 "2026-03-30T17:46:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![betaprofiles](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/betaprofiles/32/6490_2.png) [@betaprofiles](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/betaprofiles)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/1 "2026-03-30T17:46:25Z")
Apple today released the iOS 26.5 beta to developers. The update introduces several EU-specific changes aimed at complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), along with a handful of smaller tweaks and improvements. Here’s everything new in iOS 26.5 beta. ![what's-new-in-ios-26.5-beta](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2f3466f83415169d6d9469b41657226d7c2ee620.jpeg) - [How to download iOS 26.5 Developer Beta for free, no need beta profile →](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/how-to-download-ios-26-5-developer-beta-for-free-no-need-beta-profile/13412) * * * **iOS 26.5 Developer Beta 1** **Build:** `23F5043g ` **Released:** March 30, 2026 * * * **Updated on April 3:** Apple has re released iOS 26.5 beta 1 for developers with a new build number from `23F5043g` to `23F5043k`. This is quite unusual since it was released on a Friday, something Apple rarely does, which suggests they may have found an undisclosed security issue or a serious bug that needed an immediate fix. [https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/2040126693307011479](https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/2040126693307011479) So far, no noticeable changes have been found in the re released iOS 26.5 beta 1. Below are the changes included in the original iOS 26.5 beta 1 build `23F5043g` released on March 30. * * * ## End-to-End RCS Encryption iOS 26.5 beta has brought back the option for end-to-end RCS encryption in the Messages app. Apple previously tested this feature in earlier iOS 26.4 beta updates but removed it in the official release. ![end-to-end-encryption-rcs-ios-26.5-beta](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2d23614e0a45403976dbde7b38accdb05d42d3b8.jpeg) The end-to-end RCS encryption feature ensures that messages sent between iPhone and Android devices cannot be decrypted or read by third parties. ## Apple Maps When you tap on the search bar in Apple Maps, you’ll see a new “Suggested Places” section. Apple says these suggestions are based on trending nearby locations, your recent searches, and other factors. This section may also include sponsored suggestions, as Apple has [announced](https://ads.apple.com/maps) that ads will start appearing in Apple Maps this summer in the U.S. and Canada ![suggested-places-apple-maps-ios-26.5](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/e/e061899801008472b8f41613901c0813ff119895.jpeg) _Image credit 9to5mac_ [https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/2036463817685881282](https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/2036463817685881282) ## Playlist Playground Playlist Playground in Apple Music is still only available to subscribers in the U.S. and remains unavailable in other regions in the iOS 26.5 beta. ## No New Siri Features Mark Gurman previously [reported](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/02/11/siri-features-delayed-ios-26-4/) that iOS 26.5 could introduce some of the new Siri features Apple promised at WWDC 2024. However, it appears Apple has decided to push all of these Siri features to iOS 27, as today’s iOS 26.5 beta does not include any new Siri features. With only about two months to go until WWDC 2026, Apple is rumored to be planning a major overhaul for Siri in iOS 27. So we shouldn’t expect any new Siri features to be added in future iOS 26 updates. Check out my article on [iOS 27 and its expected features](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/wwdc26-ios-27-beta-release-date-expected-features/23114/) for more details. ## Magic Accessory Connection When you plug a Magic accessory (such as a Magic Keyboard) into an iPhone or iPad via USB-C, it will automatically connect to your device over Bluetooth once unplugged, similar to how it works on Mac. Connecting the accessory directly can be faster than searching for and pairing it through the Bluetooth menu in some cases. ![magic-keyboard-connected-notification-ios-26.5](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/7/77814d65587ef759b21dab89bab1c3e15fb318c2.jpeg) _Image credit [@aaronp613](https://x.com/aaronp613/status/2038749226503442662)_ ## New Keyboard Layout iOS 26.5 adds a new Inuktitut keyboard layout. ## Transfer to Android There’s a new setting that lets you choose which message attachments to transfer when moving from iPhone to Android. Options include: None, 30 days, 1 year, or All. ## Code Discovery 👀 [@aaronp613](https://x.com/aaronp613/status/2038713247067435179) found that the iOS 26.5 beta code includes references to Apple Books’ “Year In Review for 2026” feature, including trophies and medals. Here’s a description from the discovered code: > _A little of this, a little of that—you’re always ready to try something new, reading whatever interests you no matter the genre. Your award: The Adventurous Reader_ > > _Bring on the doorstoppers—long audiobooks don’t faze you! You’ve shown that you embrace the big reads. Your award: The Undaunted Reader_ > > _Each month, you made time for reading. Twelve for twelve. Well done! Your award: The Consistent Reader_ > > _Hear, hear! You’re all about listening whenever and wherever you can—audiobooks made up most of your reading. Your award: The Listening Legend_ > > _Put on your crown! Your reading achievements were truly elite. Your award: Reading Royalty_ > > _What’s new and buzzy? You always know! Your award: The Social Reader_ > > _You and your books were inseparable for %lld consecutive days. Bravo! Your award: The Endurance Reader_ > > _You could listen, but there’s just something about words on the page that makes a story come alive for you. Your award: The Golden Bookmark_ > > _You made time for %lld books! What can’t you do? Your award: The Power Reader_ > > _You made time to read in %@, and that’s worth celebrating. Here’s to more in %@! Your award: The Intentional Reader_ > > _You show up for your favorite authors, ready to read whether it’s the newest book or the oldest one. They’re lucky to have you on their side! Your award: The Loyal Reader_ ![Apple-Books-'Year-In-Review-for-2026'-ios-26.5](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/179b0148416595b2f4e2def43ca41688cbc855cb.jpeg) ## [EU Only] Notification Forwarding Notification Forwarding had been tested for a while in iOS 26.3 beta but was removed in official releases. In iOS 26.5 beta, Apple has also restored this option. You can find it under Settings → Notifications → Notification Forwarding. Notification Forwarding allows notifications from an iPhone to be forwarded to third-party devices, such as smartwatches. Apple notes that notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time, and notifications on Apple Watch will be disabled if a third-party wearable is selected. ![Notification forwarding ios 26.5](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/fd5f8850184f07bc7afc39826f5b74c018054b4e.jpeg) Frameworks for [“Accessory Notifications”](https://developer.apple.com/documentation/AccessoryNotifications) are now also available for developers. ## [EU Only] Proximity Pairing Proximity Pairing allows third-party headphones in the EU to pair with an iPhone in a similar way to AirPods. Simply bring the headphones close to the iPhone to start the pairing process with a single tap, without any additional steps. This feature was also previously tested in the iOS 26.3 beta and iOS 26.4 beta updates. ## [EU Only] Live Activities for Third-Party Accessories _9to5Mac_ [discovered](https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/30/ios-26-5-adds-live-activities-support-for-third-party-accessories-in-the-eu/) references in the iOS 26.5 beta code to an upcoming `AccessoryLiveActivities` framework, which would allow Live Activities from an iPhone to be displayed on third-party accessories, similar to notifications. ![live-activities-third party accessories ios 26.5](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1d43d951702a06084ded042038bd5eab5ff264d6.webp) _Image credit: 9to5mac_ This marks the first time Apple is testing Live Activities for third-party accessories in order to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Apple has not yet announced the `AccessoryLiveActivities` framework for developers, so this feature may not appear in the public release of iOS 26.5, similar to Notification Forwarding and Proximity Pairing. * * * I’ll keep adding more iOS 26.5 Beta changes and new features here as I discover them. Stay tuned and follow [@BetaProfiles on X](https://x.com/BetaProfiles) or [Threads](https://www.threads.com/@betaprofiles)! [](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://forum.betaprofiles.com) [![google-preferred-source-badge-dark](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/uploads/default/original/2X/0/022edb51f54dde36ed18d86e40fe64fa53827d72.png) ](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=https://forum.betaprofiles.com) ---
**Author:** ![betaprofiles](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/betaprofiles/32/6490_2.png) [@betaprofiles](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/betaprofiles)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2026, 8:02pm UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/2 "2026-03-30T20:02:46Z")
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**Author:** ![Anthony2317](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/anthony2317/32/5370_2.png) [@Anthony2317](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/Anthony2317)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2026, 7:08am UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/3 "2026-04-01T07:08:01Z")
Like the Live Activities and Paring for EU ---
**Author:** ![KingDando](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/kingdando/32/4963_2.png) [@KingDando](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/KingDando)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/4 "2026-04-04T17:03:07Z")
I don’t know if I’m the only one, but my iPhone (iPhone 15 Pro Max) won’t spin anymore after the update to iOS 26.5 beta with build `23F5043g` and `23F5043k`. No matter if the alignment lock is enabled or disabled. Let me know if you have the bug too. _Poll ([view on site](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/4))_ Edit: Apple has fixed it in iOS 26.5 Beta 2 ---
**Author:** ![betaprofiles](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/betaprofiles/32/6490_2.png) [@betaprofiles](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/betaprofiles)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 3:47am UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/5 "2026-04-05T03:47:32Z")
I just checked on my iPhone 15 Pro Max running build `23F5043k`, and it still rotates normally between portrait and landscape. You might want to try restarting your iPhone a few times and see if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![KingDando](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/kingdando/32/4963_2.png) [@KingDando](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/KingDando)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2026, 7:15am UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/6 "2026-04-05T07:15:57Z")
I have already tried to restart it several times. So far it hasn’t helped. ---
**Author:** ![Anthony2317](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/user_avatar/forum.betaprofiles.com/anthony2317/32/5370_2.png) [@Anthony2317](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/u/Anthony2317)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2026, 11:22am UTC](https://forum.betaprofiles.com/t/whats-new-in-ios-26-5-beta-1/23118/7 "2026-04-13T11:22:42Z")
i mean it’s a first beta, the most buggy ones