With the second beta of iOS 26.5, Apple is continuing to prepare for ads in the Apple Maps app. There's a new splash screen in the app that says it will display ads based on approximate location, current search terms, or a view of the map when searching. Ads will also be shown in the "Suggested Places" section that was added in the first beta.
Apple says that advertising information is not linked to an Apple Account to preserve user privacy, so ads viewed and interacted with will not be associated with an Apple Account. Data is not collected or stored by Apple and not shared with third parties, according to Apple.
Signs of ads in the Maps app were spotted in the first beta, but iOS 26.5 testers could start seeing ads with the second beta. It's not yet clear if Apple has just implemented the splash screen, or if ads are going to begin showing up in the near future.
Apple announced plans to introduce ads for the Maps app back in March, with ads set to roll out to the public "this summer." Apple plans to include ads in the Maps app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac in the United States and Canada.
Ads in Apple Maps will have an "Ad" label, much like ads in the App Store.
Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:47 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple today released iOS 26.6.2 with a fix for "an issue that prevents downloading a software update over a cellular connection."
The minor software update is rolling out now for the iPhone 11 series and newer. To update your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. It might take a few minutes for the update to be visible to everyone.
iOS 26.6.2 arrives...
Monday September 14, 2026 10:32 am PDT by Juli Clover
Alongside iOS 27, Apple today released iOS 26.7, an update to the existing iOS 26 software. Users who check for new software will see iOS 26.7 as the default update, with iOS 27 listed as an option at the bottom of the Software Update interface.
According to Apple's release notes, iOS 26.7 includes security fixes, but it does not have any other features.
Apple will eventually show iOS 27 ...
Monday September 14, 2026 11:36 am PDT by Juli Clover
Today's iOS 27 update addresses over 100 security vulnerabilities, which is a good reason to install the new software.
If you don't want to update to iOS 27 yet, Apple also released iOS 26.7 with over 80 security fixes. 75 of the fixes are shared across both updates, so iOS 26.7 addresses many of the same issues.
There are multiple kernel fixes, including one that could allow a malicious...
As much as Cook has been a good CEO for the most part, every now and then he falls back into COO mode and comes up with something that makes financial sense but that a good CEO should veto for the bigger picture of the brand and the customer experience.
Apple: "Everyone update to iOS 26.5!" Users: "Omg are we finally getting those AI features you promised 2 years ago?!" Apple: "Lol no. But you will be getting our awesome new ads in Maps!"
