Mobile

Apple Seeds watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5 and visionOS 26.5 Release Candidates

Apple's latest developer betas for watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 introduce a new Pride watch face and 2026 Pride Apple Watch band, while primarily focusing on bug fixes and performance enhancements, with no major feature additions. The release candidates are available through the Settings app, requiring a free developer account for access. This incremental update suggests a minor feature set for the upcoming platform releases. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Otto B (AI-assisted) May 4, 2026 2 min read EN

Apple today provided developers with the release candidate versions of upcoming watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5 betas for testing purposes. The software comes a week after Apple released the fourth betas for each platform. The software updates are available through the Settings app on each device, and because these are developer betas, a free developer account is required. watchOS 26.5 adds a new Pride watch face to go along with the 2026 Pride Apple Watch band. There's no word on what other features are in the software as of yet. watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS often get few features in each new beta, with updates primarily focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements. Nothing new was found in the betas. Related Roundups: Apple TV, Apple Vision Pro, watchOS 26 Buyer's Guide: Apple TV (Don't Buy), Vision Pro (Buy Now) Related Forums: Apple TV and Home Theater, Apple Vision P

More articles like this

Mobile 1 min

iOS 26.5 Brings End-to-End Encryption to iPhone-Android RCS Messages

Apple's iOS 26.5 update introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices, a feature previously announced but delayed, now available with supported carriers and denoted by a lock symbol in the Messages app. The encryption is on by default, but users can toggle it off in Settings. This marks a significant shift in interoperability between Apple's and Android's messaging platforms. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Mobile 2 min

iOS 27 Will Let You Create Custom Wallet Passes

Apple's iOS 27 update introduces "Create a Pass," a feature that enables users to generate custom digital passes from physical tickets, membership cards, and other items by scanning QR codes or manually inputting details, effectively expanding the Wallet app's compatibility with non-native passes. This functionality will support three distinct pass types, each color-coded for events, memberships, and other purposes. The feature bridges the gap between native Wallet passes and external, incompatible items. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Mobile 1 min

macOS Tahoe 26.5 Release Candidate Now Available

Apple's macOS Tahoe 26.5 release candidate, a critical milestone in the operating system's development, is now available to developers for testing, marking a key step towards the software's public debut. The update, seeded just a week after the fourth beta, can be downloaded via the System Settings app, requiring a developer account and beta updates enabled. This release candidate iteration is a crucial phase in refining the OS's performance and stability. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Mobile 1 min

Apple Seeds iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Release Candidates to Developers

Apple's latest iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 release candidates introduce a Suggested Places feature in Maps, leveraging machine learning to recommend locations based on user trends and searches, as well as lay groundwork for in-app ads, while reviving RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users, a feature previously removed from the public iOS 26.4 update. The new software also includes a Pride-themed wallpaper and watch band. Developer testing is underway. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Mobile 2 min

Notepad++ Creator Calls Out 'Fake' Mac App Over Trademark Violation

A rogue macOS app masquerading as Notepad++ has sparked a trademark dispute, prompting its creator to decry the unauthorized use of his project's name and branding. The unofficial app's developer has agreed to rebrand and disassociate from the original project, citing a need to respect Notepad++'s lineage and user base. A new logo, name, and domain are set to debut in the coming days. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.

Mobile 1 min

iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features

Apple's upcoming iOS 26.5 update, set to debut this May, quietly introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app, a security feature that shields messages from interception, and also brings targeted ads to Apple Maps, dubbed "Suggested Places," while adding a new Pride-themed wallpaper and minor tweaks. This incremental release lays groundwork for future iOS versions, as Apple shifts focus towards iOS 27. Key features will be scrutinized in the final release. AI-assisted, human-reviewed.