Just after Apple rolled out its 26.4 public updates, the company has now moved to the next testing cycle with iPadOS 26.5 beta 1 for developers. The new release is live now, and it arrives alongside the first 26.5 developer betas for tvOS, watchOS, visionOS, HomePod software, iOS, and macOS.
For now, Apple has not detailed any major new iPadOS 26.5 features in the public-facing materials we could verify. That means this first beta looks like an early developer seed, and the biggest changes may only become clear after more testing. If we spot anything new in the update, we will report back with the full details, so stay tuned.
Historically, Apple’s x.5 updates tend to land later in the spring, so iPadOS 26.5 is likely part of the final stretch before the next major iPadOS version arrives at WWDC in June.
How to update to iPadOS 26.5 beta 1
If your iPad is already enrolled for developer betas with the Apple Account linked to your developer access, you can install the update in a few quick steps. Apple says beta releases can be installed directly from Software Update.
- Open Settings on your iPad.
- Tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Tap Beta Updates if needed and choose the developer beta option.
- Go back and download iPadOS 26.5 beta 1.
As always, installing an early beta on your main device is risky. Developer builds can bring bugs, battery drain, app crashes, and other issues, so it is best to use a secondary iPad or make a full backup first.
Right now, the headline is simple: iPadOS 26.5 beta 1 is out, developers can install it now, and we are still waiting to see whether Apple has tucked any meaningful new features inside this first build. Let us know in the comments if you have installed it and found anything new.
