Two weeks after the first developer versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, watchOS and visionOS 26.5, Apple distributed the second beta this evening, as expected. Some people still hope that Apple will flip the switch for Siri 2 in this cycle, but market observers hardly expect this to happen anymore. Instead, system version 26.5 is a maintenance update with numerous detailed adjustments. The general market readiness is expected for May, provided Apple stays true to the usual schedule. Known innovations
As mentioned, Apple did not activate the new generation of Siri, which is why the signs currently point to Siri 2 not being seen until WWDC in June. However, some other innovations appeared in the first beta of 26.5. Apple is continuing to test “notification forwarding” in order to send notifications to third-party hardware – but only in the EU, where the change must take place for legal reasons. End-to-end encrypted RCS messages could also be part of system version 26.5, testing had already started with 26.4.
Apple is preparing advertising in the map app for users in the USA, but no date has yet been announced for the introduction of the controversial innovation in this country. For the first time, live activities can be synchronized by third parties – and the Books app also includes other awards for active readers. As usual, if Beta 2 contains any other important changes, we will update this message.
The current betas
Finally, as always, the well-known list of currently available beta versions. As is usual with a first beta, the letter at the end is still a long way from “a”, which Apple always uses to indicate that you are pretty much at the beginning. This time it started with “g” and “h” (watchOS), whereas now it looks a bit inconsistent (iOS: increase to “h”, macOS, however, “d”). This is what it currently looks like in the developer area:
| system | Build number | Published |
| macOS 26.5 Beta 2 | 25F5053d | April 13, 2026 |
| iOS 26.5 Beta 2 | 23F5054h | April 13, 2026 |
| iPadOS 26.5 Beta 2 | 23F5054h | April 13, 2026 |
| watchOS 26.5 Beta 2 | 23T5553h | April 13, 2026 |
| tvOS 26.5 Beta 2 | 23L5455c | April 13, 2026 |
| visionOS 26.5 Beta 2 | 23O5453d | April 13, 2026 |
