iOS 26.5 Will Probably Bring End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messages to Your iPhone
Apple released iOS 26.5 on Monday, more than a month after the company released a major release iOS 26.4 update, which included new emojivideo podcasts and more. iOS 26.5 RC brings several small — but impactful — changes iPhones for developers and beta testers, including end-to-end encrypted RCS messages.
Because this is an RC, I recommend that you only download it to a device other than your primary one. This is not the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update may have issues and battery life may be shorter. It’s better to keep those problems on the second device.
Also, since this is not the final version of iOS 26.5, Apple can add more features to the update before it reaches your iPhone.
Here are some features that developers and beta testers can try now, and what might stay on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5. Apple usually releases iOS updates about a week after releasing the RC, so it could release iOS 26.5 to the general public on May 11 or 12.
Returns encrypted RCS messages to end-to-end
iOS 26.5 RC brings end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to your device — finally. When Apple delivers RCS messages on iPhones with iOS 18one feature the messaging protocol lacked was end-to-end encryption, and iOS 26.5 will likely bring this privacy protection to your iPhone.
To find this setting, go to Settings > Apps > Messaging > RCS Messaging and press the slider close Edge encryption (Beta).
Apple writes in the feature description that it is still in beta, and only works on certain carriers and devices. Apple also writes that these encrypted messages will be written as such, so you should know when your messages do not have this level of protection.
Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messages in beta versions of iOS 26.4, but the tech giant did not include the feature in the final release.
Ads may appear in Maps
When you open your Maps app after downloading iOS 26.5 RC, you’ll see a new splash screen announcing the arrival of ads in the app.
“Maps may show local ads based on your location, current search terms, or map view while searching,” Apple said. “For your privacy, advertising information is not linked to your Apple Account.”
Apple announced Apple Business in March, allowing companies to communicate with customers through some of Apple’s first-party applications, such as Mail and Wallet. Apple Business also allows companies to place local ads on Maps. So you can start seeing ads on Maps for the coffee shop down the street from your home.
New categories and suggested locations on maps
iOS 26.5 RC also brings new categories and a new Suggested Places menu to your Maps app. Once you’re in the app, tap your search bar as if you were going to look for a nearby cafe or restaurant. You’ll see new categories under the search bar, too Suggested locations will appear below The latest.
New Pride Luminance wallpaper
iOS 26.5 RC brings you a new Pride wallpaper to your device to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities ahead of Pride Month. The new wallpaper, called Pride Luminance, features vertical lines that move every time you turn on your device.
Monthly payments on annual subscriptions
The iOS 26.5 update will introduce a new way to pay for App Store subscriptions. Apple posted online that starting with an upcoming iOS update, developers can offer monthly payments for 12-month subscriptions.
“This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable options,” Apple wrote.
This means that if an app offers a discounted annual subscription, you can sign up for that annual plan at a lower price but pay for it month by month. However, Apple wrote that if you cancel your subscription before the end of your subscription, you will have to continue paying until the end of your contract.
Live services of third party services in the EU
According to 9to5Mac, iOS 26.5 beta also allows third-party accessories to display Live Activity updates sent to iPhones. However, this is only available for devices in the European Union.
Here are the full iOS 26.5 RC release notes:
This update includes the following improvements:
- RCS end-to-end encrypted messages (beta) in Messages are available with supported carriers and will be rolled out over time. For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/109526.
- Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically changes a variety of colors, is available for download.
- Suggested places in Maps show recommendations based on what’s trending around your recent searches.
Those are just a few of the new features that developers and public beta testers can try out now with iOS 26.5 RC. There may be many betas before the OS is released to the public, so there is plenty of time for Apple to change these features and add others. Apple wrote in a blog post that it will release iOS 26.5 to the general public in May, but did not give an exact date.
For more iOS news, here’s everything you need to know iOS 26.4 again iOS 26.3. You can also check our iOS 26 cheat sheet.
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