Apple Says iOS 26.5 Adds Three New Features to Your iPhone

Source: MacRumors

iOS 26.5 includes three new features for iPhones, according to Apple’s release notes for the update, which is expected to roll out next week.

End‑to‑End Encrypted RCS Messaging

As discovered during beta testing, iOS 26.5 enables end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices. Apple says this security upgrade is limited to supported carriers around the world and will continue to roll out.

End‑to‑end encryption for RCS adds a security layer that ensures messages sent between supported iOS and Android devices are encrypted and cannot be intercepted or read by Apple or any third party while in transit. Text messages sent via the older SMS standard still lack end‑to‑end encryption. (iMessage conversations with blue bubbles have been end‑to‑end encrypted since iOS 5.)

Suggested Places in Apple Maps

The second new feature is Suggested Places in Apple Maps. This section provides recommendations based on your location and recent searches, and it will start showing ads in the U.S. and Canada later this year.

Ads will carry an “Ad” label, and Apple promises strong privacy protections—user location and ad interactions in Maps are not associated with a user’s Apple Account.

Pride Luminance Wallpaper

A new Pride Luminance wallpaper that “dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors” is available for download on iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5. It was released alongside a new Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Luminance watch face, celebrating LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Release Notes Summary

• End‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages, available with supported carriers and rolling out over time.
• Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, available for download.
• Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what’s trending nearby and your recent searches.

Given that the iOS 26.5 Release Candidate was released this week, Apple is likely to make the update available to all users next week.