Apple has seeded a new beta version of its upcoming iOS 26.5 software to developers and public testers. The release follows the major iOS 26.4 update, which introduced features like new emoji and video podcasts earlier this spring.
Code discovered within the iOS 26.5 beta by developers reveals Apple is testing a new "Search Ads" feature for its built-in Maps application. This would allow businesses to pay to have their locations appear more prominently in search results, similar to search advertising on the web. The feature is not yet active for users in the current beta.
If implemented, this would mark a significant expansion of Apple's advertising business into a core first-party app. Apple currently serves search ads in its App Store. The company has emphasized user privacy in its advertising systems, using on-device processing to limit data collection.
Apple has not officially announced a public release date for iOS 26.5. The software remains in testing, and features are subject to change or removal before the final version is released to all users later this year.
