After the 26.4 releases, Apple is now testing iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.4 with developers.
Apple released its 26.4 generation of updates on March 24, making way for new beta builds to be tested. Apple has now started that testing, by supplying developers with the initial betas for the 26.5 generation.
The developer betas for iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.5 replace the previous generation, which included four beta rounds and a release candidate round on March 18.
- iOS 26.5 build 1 is 23F5043g, replacing 23E246
- iPadOS 26.5 build 1 is 23F5043g, replacing 23E246
- watchOS 26.5 build 1 is 23T5541h, replacing 23T240
- visionOS 26.5 build 1 is 23O5441g, replacing 23O247
- tvOS 26.5 build 1 is 23L5443g, replacing 23L243
- macOS Tahoe 26.5 build 1 is 25F5042g, replacing 25E246
- HomePod Software 26.5 build 1 is 23L5443g
While it is still too early to determine the actual content of the builds, observers are waiting for Apple to finally make good on its promise to upgradce Siri. However, it now seems that any major changes to the digital assistant will surface in June as part of WWDC announcements.
AppleInsider and Apple strongly recommend that users avoid installing beta operating systems or beta software onto "mission-critical" or primary-use hardware, due to the potential for issues and data loss. Instead, they should retain backups of their data and try to use secondary hardware that isn't as essential to maintain.
For users wanting a less risky experience, Apple usually brings out a public beta version shortly after the developer counterpart. It is a more battle-hardened version of the update, with typically fewer issues than the developer builds.
Find any changes in the new builds? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at [email protected].
