With the second beta of iOS 26.5, Apple continues to optimize ads in the Apple Maps application. There is a new splash screen in the app that says it will show ads based on the approximate location, current search terms, or a map view when you search. Ads will be displayed 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 protect user privacy, so the ads viewed and linked to will not be linked to an Apple Account. The data is not collected or stored by Apple and is not shared with third parties, according to Apple.
Ads signs in the Maps app were seen in the first beta, but iOS 26.5 testers can start seeing ads in the second beta. It is not clear if Apple has just implemented a splash screen, or if ads will start appearing soon.
Apple announced plans to introduce ads to the Maps app in March, with the ads to be rolled out to the public “this summer.” Apple plans to add ads to the Maps app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac in the United States and Canada.
Ads on Apple Maps will have an “Ad” label, just like ads on the App Store.