Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates

[MacRumors]

Apple today released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, the newest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The software comes nearly two months after Apple released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4.

The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 15.8.8, iOS 16.7.16, iOS 18.7.9, and iPadOS 17.7.11 for older devices unable to run iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.

iOS 26.5 introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users. E2EE for RCS requires both participants in the conversation to have a carrier that supports the feature, and carriers will be rolling out support over time. Encrypted RCS messages have a small lock symbol, and match the end-to-end encryption protections of iMessage.

In the Maps app, there is a new "Suggested Places" section that displays recommendations based on location and recent searches. The Maps app is getting ads this summer, and the groundwork for ads is included in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.

Apple added a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that matches the Pride Luminance Apple Watch face and Apple Watch band. The updates are largely the same on iPad.

Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following enhancements:
- End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time. For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/109526
- Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download
- Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what's trending nearby and your recent searches

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:

Apple security releases - Apple Support

This document lists security updates and Rapid Security Responses for Apple software.

support.apple.com

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:https://support.apple.com/125039

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 may be some of the last updates that we get with new features. Apple is shifting its focus to iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, new updates that will be previewed at WWDC next month.

Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates

 

[macdaddy43]

Is this same build number as RC 2?

 

[germanbeer007]

RCS is one of the worst things that has ever happened to the iPhone.

Have had so many calls from family members trying understand it and to get it to work (so many technical issues). Just get rid of it. I deliberately turned my off and just reply "goto Telegram" whenever I see a green bubble. I recommend everyone doing the same.

Google is a such a whiner. Can't compete at messaging after 1000 tries of different apps so they asked you-know-who to step in.

 

[nihilisticmonk]

Is this same build number as RC 2?

So infuriating that Macrumors doesn’t put this in the article so we just have to trawl the comments to find confirmation. Every. Time.

 

[podycust]

What 1.38gb on my iPad for some lame wallpaper!

 

[iSmoggie]

Yay, looks like I’m free from ads in Maps in the UK.

 

[Wasp14]

If you stay on 26.4 do you avoid ads in maps for the time being?

 

[User 6502]

Maps ‘updates’ is a very peculiar way of describing an intermediate steps to getting ads…

 

[MrENGLISH]

In the Maps app, there is a new "Suggested Places" section that displays recommendations based on location and recent searches. The Maps app is getting ads this summer, and the groundwork for ads is included in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.

And this is enough of a reason for me to hold off on updating for the time being.

 

[Tranel]

If you stay on 26.4 do you avoid ads in maps for the time being?

If you stay on iOS 1, you avoid everything.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

17 pro

 

[ELman]

Why is the update on my iPhone 16 1.51 GB and it's 11.36GB on my iPhone 17. Neither of these phones were running beta or RC releases.

 

[HouseLannister]

Is this same build number as RC 2?

I have RC2 and no update available. 17PM

 

[Wasp14]

What 1.38gb on my iPad for some lame wallpaper!

Plus bug fixes and ads in maps.

 

[kurtfoster]

Yaaay!!! I genuinely love running updates!!

 

[leo491]

Is this same build number as RC 2?

Yes. 23F77

 

[theeaglesfan005]

I have RC2 and no update available. 17PM

Same.. even toggled off beta updates (like you have to do sometimes) and no update popped up

 

[nymphe]

Hmm no iOS 18.7.9 for 13 pro max 🙂

Glad I was able to jump to 18.7.8

 

[cybercommand]

Playlist Playground still doesn’t work.

 

[winxmac]

So iOS 18.7.7 and iOS 18.7.8 seem to be special case for devices that can be upgraded to iOS 26.x but the user chose not to.

Right now, on my iPhone 11 Pro Max still running iOS 18.7 the Software Update section shows iOS 18.7.8 along with iOS 26.5

So I guess it's a 7 day countdown before the last update to iOS 18.x disappears in Software Update. There is no iPSW for devices that can be upgraded to iOS 26.x so iOS 18.7.8 seems to be the last OTA update.

 

[NotApplicable]

I deliberately turned my off and just reply "goto Telegram" whenever I see a green bubble. I recommend everyone doing the same.

I highly recommend that anyone concerned with privacy/security _never_ use Telegram. Use Signal if you're going to prioritize those things.

 

[N0ughtsAndCr0sses]

M4 11inch celular obviously

Whooaaa

 

[HouseLannister]

Hmm no iOS 18.7.9

That probably means no security updates. DarkSword took multiple patches to fix all the WebKit flaws, so this is a good sign that it is really fixed and there are no new exploits.

 

[germanbeer007]

I highly recommend that anyone concerned with privacy/security _never_ use Telegram. Use Signal if you're going to prioritize those things.

For work, yes. But casually, just use Telegram's secret chat.

 

[Black_Mage]

Big update. Updating now.