Apple Releases iOS 26.5 Public Beta with Maps Updates

Apple on Thursday released the first public beta version of iOS 26.5, allowing a wider group of users to test upcoming features just days after the initial developer beta. The update introduces enhancements to the Apple Maps app, including a new Suggested Places feature, while also laying groundwork for advertisements within the service.

The Suggested Places tool appears when users tap the search bar in Apple Maps, displaying trending nearby locations such as restaurants, shops, and other points of interest. These recommendations draw from the user's current location and recent search history, aiming to streamline discovery without requiring additional apps or manual searches. For instance, someone arriving in a new area could quickly identify popular spots for dining or errands. Apple designed the feature to transform Maps into a more proactive navigation and recommendation platform, using aggregated local trends to suggest options in real time.

Alongside this, the beta includes preparations for targeted ads in Maps, appearing at the top of search results and within Suggested Places suggestions. Apple first announced plans in March to extend advertising beyond the App Store and...