Apple Releases iOS 5 Beta 5 to Developers

ios52
In a surprise move, Apple has released iOS 5 Beta 5 (build 9A5288d) to developers on Saturday. Apple typically releases new developer seeds on weekdays. Alongside the iOS 5 beta 5 release is Xcode 4.2 Developer Preview 5, iTunes 10.5 Beta 5 and Apple TV Software beta 4.

iOS 5 Beta 5 is available as an over the air update, but according to the release notes, users must first erase all content and settings by choosing Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Apple recommends backing up your device using iTunes 10.5 Beta 4 or through iCloud prior to installing iOS 5 beta 5, and subsequently restoring. That said, some users have been able to upgrade fine without going through that process.

ios5b5
thanks Elijah

BGR posts the release notes, which details some fixes, but no major new features. We're looking into what other changes may have occurred.

Hearing Aid Mode is said to be new in iOS 5 Beta 5:

hearingaid

Over the air update from Beta 4 to Beta 5 is 128MB.

NatesTechUpdate offers this video which goes over some of the new findings in iOS 5:

Popular Stories

Apple to Launch 'MacBook Ultra' With These Six New Features

While the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro were just updated with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips last month, bigger changes are reportedly around the corner. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the higher-end MacBook Pro models will be receiving a major redesign by early 2027, and he said that Apple might use "MacBook Ultra" branding for them. If so, the MacBook Ultra would likely be a...

Here's What's Coming in the 2026 Apple TV

Thursday April 23, 2026 12:08 pm PDT by Juli Clover

There are a lot of folks waiting for a new version of the Apple TV because the set-top box hasn't been updated since 2022. There is an update coming this year, but people will need to wait a bit longer because Apple is holding the next Apple TV until the new version of Siri comes out this fall. Design Apple TV design updates don't happen often, and that's not changing in 2026. The next...

Tim Cook Calls Apple Maps Launch His 'First Really Big Mistake' as CEO

Thursday April 23, 2026 5:29 am PDT by Tim Hardwick

Outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook has named the botched 2012 launch of Apple Maps as his "first really big mistake" in the role, according to a Bloomberg report covering the town hall meeting that was held Tuesday with his recently announced successor, John Ternus. The Maps app launched with mislabeled landmarks, faulty directions, and a user experience that fell well short of Google Maps at the...