iOS 26.5 Features: Apple Changes the Rules

Apple has set WWDC 2026 to reveal iOS 27, but meaningful updates for iOS 26 continue. The first beta of iOS 26.5 is here, introducing long-overdue support for third-party wearables. This major shift offers users more hardware choices and better integration than ever before.

Apple released iOS 26.5 Beta 1 for developers and testers today. Compared to the previous iOS 26.4, this beta isn’t quite as chock-full of features. It is also missing the new Siri, which was expected after the iPhone maker introduced the foundation model in the previous version. However, we might still see this in later beta installments or perhaps in the final build of iOS 26.5.

Features That Break Apple’s Walled Garden

At the same time, we have seen significant additions being tested in this build, most of which are in compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act. These changes aim to open Apple’s ecosystem on new fronts.

One of these features is proximity pairing, which now allows third-party wireless earbuds and watches to pair instantly when brought close to an iPhone or iPad. This utilizes NFC and other wireless protocols for initiation. The feature removes friction and reduces the number of steps required for setup, which is a convenience previously enjoyed only by users of AirPods, Beats headphones, or the Apple Watch.

Additionally, third-party smartwatches are finally getting notification forwarding support with this update, as seen in YouTuber Zollotech’s hands-on video. This means that notifications received on an iPhone will now “play nice” and display correctly on non-Apple watches. Previously, this was a major setback for anyone using a third-party wearable paired with an iPhone.

However, there are still some limitations. The major drawback is that enabling this will disable notifications on the Apple Watch, as the system currently allows only one watch to receive notifications at a time.

As part of these notification improvements, wearables in general, and smartwatches in particular, will receive Live Activities sync support. For instance, users can now see the real-time status of a service right on their wrist. This is incredibly useful for tracking food deliveries or monitoring trips with ride-hailing apps.

Trending Places Now Show Up on Apple Maps

Besides these EU-bound changes, there are new functions for all users to look forward to. These include “Suggested Places” on Apple Maps, found in the collapsible tab. The list is generated based on a user’s search history and nearby trending locations.

Following a brief period where End-to-End Encryption (E2EE) was disabled, Apple has re-enabled the security protocol in Messages. It is now turned on by default, ensuring users receive beefed-up protection the moment they start chatting. This also applies to cross-platform messaging between iOS and Android devices.

It is currently unknown if all of these features will ship in the public version of iOS 26.5, but there is a high chance they will make it, given they are already being tested in the first beta. iOS 26.5 is expected to be released to the general public sometime in May or June.

Do you wish these EU-exclusive changes would also come to other countries like the US? Let us know in the comments!