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Apple Seeds Fourth iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Betas to Developers

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Apple today seeded the fourth betas of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the third betas.

iOS-26.5-Glass-Feature-Warm.jpg

Registered developers can download the betas from the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad by going to the General section and selecting Software Update.

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 do not include new Siri capabilities, suggesting any Siri updates are being held until iOS 27. The Maps app has a Suggested Places feature for recommending locations to visit nearby based on trends and recent searches, plus Apple is laying the groundwork for ads in the Apple Maps app.

Apple is continuing to test end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users. Apple included the feature in the iOS 26.4 beta, but removed it before the update launched to the public.

In the European Union, Apple is testing proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables like earbuds and smartwatches. The functionality will allow third-party wearables to have many of the same features as the Apple Watch and AirPods.

More detail on what's new in iOS 26.5 can be found in our iOS 26.5 beta features guide.

Update 1:05 pm: The update is now also available to public beta testers.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Fourth iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Betas to Developers
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/27/apple-seeds-ios-26-5-beta-4/
Last edited:
  • Wow
Reactions: Z-4195
Over 16GB on my 16 plus.

But not sure I switched from public back to developer or does it not make that much of a difference?

I know the RCs tend to be a more complete package but not sure if going between public and dev or vice versa causes your device to grab the full package from scratch again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Kramerjn
Over 14 GB for 17 Pro Max.

Hopefully it re-fixes the duplicate alerts I’m getting from ESPN and Apple News; beta 1 had the problem, beta 2 fixed it, but it’s back in beta 3.
 
The update is much smaller than indicated. Nobody needs to download 20 GB. Don't know why Apple is not able to display the correct size of the update.
 
Zenman12 said:
Macrumors doesn’t include everything that these iOS update get. That’s a pattern I’ve seen.
Click to expand...
It's not Macrumors' fault. Apple's release notes accompanying the betas often lack details.

But once the beta is available, Macrumors and some tech YouTubers give them a thorough once-over and report on any changes, bug fixes, and new bugs they find. That usually takes a couple hours.
 
  • Like
Reactions: douglasb7
TOM1211 said:
iPhone 17 pro 19.4 gb😱 how big are these ads in Apple Maps ??
Click to expand...
Some users see a 17 GB iOS update while others only get 3 GB because Apple delivers updates in different formats. Humanity, naturally, turns this into conspiracy theory instead of basic software distribution.


Full package update = the complete iOS installation file. It includes the whole system and is usually larger. This is often offered when jumping from one major version to another, fixing system issues, or when the device needs a fresh complete install.


Incremental (delta) update = only the files that changed from your current iOS version to the new one. Since it downloads just the necessary changes, it is much smaller.


So:


  • 17 GB = likely full package
  • 3 GB = likely incremental update tailored to the device’s current version

Both install the same final iOS version. One just arrives like a moving truck, the other like a backpack.
 
  • Like
Reactions: thelion7, douglasb7 and rafaelrohden
roncron said:
It's not Macrumors' fault. Apple's release notes accompanying the betas often lack details.

But once the beta is available, Macrumors and some tech YouTubers give them a thorough once-over and report on any changes, bug fixes, and new bugs they find. That usually takes a couple hours.
Click to expand...
True. It’s harder. But other sites seem to have more complete info before MacRumors and the rumors launched. One thing was actually from an earlier beta.
 
Last edited:
N0ughtsAndCr0sses said:
Some users see a 17 GB iOS update while others only get 3 GB because Apple delivers updates in different formats. Humanity, naturally, turns this into conspiracy theory instead of basic software distribution.


Full package update = the complete iOS installation file. It includes the whole system and is usually larger. This is often offered when jumping from one major version to another, fixing system issues, or when the device needs a fresh complete install.


Incremental (delta) update = only the files that changed from your current iOS version to the new one. Since it downloads just the necessary changes, it is much smaller.


So:


  • 17 GB = likely full package
  • 3 GB = likely incremental update tailored to the device’s current version

Both install the same final iOS version. One just arrives like a moving truck, the other like a backpack.
Click to expand...
Good explanation.
Whenever there’s news about an upgrade, someone always complains about the size, battery, and so on
 
  • Like
Reactions: douglasb7
N0ughtsAndCr0sses said:
Some users see a 17 GB iOS update while others only get 3 GB because Apple delivers updates in different formats. Humanity, naturally, turns this into conspiracy theory instead of basic software distribution.


Full package update = the complete iOS installation file. It includes the whole system and is usually larger. This is often offered when jumping from one major version to another, fixing system issues, or when the device needs a fresh complete install.


Incremental (delta) update = only the files that changed from your current iOS version to the new one. Since it downloads just the necessary changes, it is much smaller.


So:


  • 17 GB = likely full package
  • 3 GB = likely incremental update tailored to the device’s current version

Both install the same final iOS version. One just arrives like a moving truck, the other like a backpack.
Click to expand...

The full IPSW is 10gb, so the 17gb number is borked.
 
Apple ought to release some Siri features with this update and go ahead and do the big release at wwdc. At least ACT like you realize the importance of sticking to your initial timeframe.
 
  • Haha
Reactions: marte91
With essentially a 2 year delay Siri better be rock solid and ‘wow’ all users. If they launch another untested Siri that stumbles on the basics, it will be a complete shxt show.
 
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