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Ads will soon make their way to Apple Maps , with the latest iOS 26.5 developer beta offering additional insight into how they'll work. iOS 26.5 beta 2 includes a new splash screen for Apple Maps ads. Following multiple rumors of advertisements coming to Apple Maps, the change was officially confirmed on March 24. With Monday's iOS 26.5 developer beta , Apple has now taken the first step towards bringing ads to the iPhone 's built-in Maps app. The software update contains a new splash screen detailing the key aspects of Apple Maps ads. "Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search," reads the screen. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
iOS 26.4 is the latest iPhone update, headlined by many new features in Apple Music . There’s also a music-related improvement to Control Center in iOS 26.4: Shazam song recognition will now work even when you’re offline. more…
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 . Related Roundups: iOS 26 , iPadOS 26 Tag: Apple Maps Related Forum: iOS 26 This article, " Apple Maps Ads Move Closer to Launch With iOS 26.5 Beta 2 " first appeared on MacRumors.com Discuss this article in our forums
Apple is now on its second round of developer betas for iOS 26.5 , iPadOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.5. Apple's hardware that works with the 26-generation operating systems - Image Credit: Apple The second 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 first, which arrived on March 30 . However, Apple re-released the developer beta for iOS 26.5 on March 24 , with a new build number. iOS 26.5 build 2 is 23F5054h, replacing 23F5043k Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
