Here's What's New in iOS 26.5 So Far

[MacRumors]

iOS 26.5 has been in beta since late March, with a third beta released this week. The update is relatively minor so far, which is not too surprising given that Apple is starting to shift its focus towards iOS 27. Apple will unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and the update should be released in September.

iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for two changes, including end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app.

End-to-end encryption for ‌RCS‌ is a security feature that ensures that messages sent between supported iOS 26.5 and Android devices are encrypted and cannot be intercepted and read by a third party while they are being delivered.

Apple already tested end-to-end encryption for RCS in the iOS 26.4 beta, but the feature did not make it into the final release of iOS 26.4 last month.

Last month, Apple announced that ads are coming to the Apple Maps app on the iPhone and iPad in the U.S. and Canada starting "this summer," and there is evidence of Apple preparing for that within iOS 26.5's code.

Apple says businesses in the U.S. and Canada will be able to place local ads in search results and at the top of a new "Suggested Places" section.

"Ads on Maps will appear when users search in Maps, and can appear at the top of a user's search results based on relevance, as well as at the top of a new Suggested Places experience in Maps, which will display recommendations based on what's trending nearby, the user's recent searches, and more," says Apple.

Similar to the ads that are already shown in App Store search results on the iPhone and iPad, ads in Apple Maps will have an "Ad" label, and Apple promises strong privacy protections. For example, Apple says a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account.

In the iOS 26.5 beta, Apple is also working to extend iPhone features like notifications, Live Activities, and AirPods-like pairing to third-party smartwatches and headphones in the EU, as required under the Digital Markets Act.

Lastly, iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5 will have a new Pride Luminance wallpaper and watch face.

Beyond that, iOS 26.5 has only a few other minor changes.

Following beta testing, iOS 26.5 will likely be released in May.

Article Link: Here's What's New in iOS 26.5 So Far

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I use RCS more than iMessage, so this a welcome addition! ...assuming it actually becomes available soon.

 

[txscott]

Ads in maps. Apple One Premier subscribers should be allowed to opt out.

 

[ZipZilla]

If 26.5 allows editing and unsending RCS messages, I’ll update immediately

 

[19callum93]

would love it if you could share that iOS 26 green wallpaper!!! 😍

 

[summiter]

When the first ad appears in my maps app it will be deleted. If the stupid takeover page about ads when opening maps now doesn’t go away without clicking the shady agreement button masquerading as a continue button, it will be deleted. No ads.

 

[jimscard]

iOS 26.5 has been in beta since late March, with a third beta released this week. The update is relatively minor so far, which is not too surprising given that Apple is starting to shift its focus towards iOS 27. Apple will unveil iOS 27 during its WWDC 2026 keynote on June 8, and the update should be released in September.

iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for two changes, including end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app.

End-to-end encryption for ‌RCS‌ is a security feature that ensures that messages sent between supported iOS 26.5 and Android devices are encrypted and cannot be intercepted and read by a third party while they are being delivered.

Apple already tested end-to-end encryption for RCS in the iOS 26.4 beta, but the feature did not make it into the final release of iOS 26.4 last month.

Last month, Apple announced that ads are coming to the Apple Maps app on the iPhone and iPad in the U.S. and Canada starting "this summer," and there is evidence of Apple preparing for that within iOS 26.5's code.

Apple says businesses in the U.S. and Canada will be able to place local ads in search results and at the top of a new "Suggested Places" section.

"Ads on Maps will appear when users search in Maps, and can appear at the top of a user's search results based on relevance, as well as at the top of a new Suggested Places experience in Maps, which will display recommendations based on what's trending nearby, the user's recent searches, and more," says Apple.

Similar to the ads that are already shown in App Store search results on the iPhone and iPad, ads in Apple Maps will have an "Ad" label, and Apple promises strong privacy protections. For example, Apple says a user's location and the ads they see and interact with in Apple Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account.

In the iOS 26.5 beta, Apple is also working to extend iPhone features like notifications, Live Activities, and AirPods-like pairing to third-party smartwatches and headphones in the EU, as required under the Digital Markets Act.

Beyond that, iOS 26.5 has only a few other minor changes.

Following beta testing, iOS 26.5 will likely be released in May.

Article Link: Here's What's New in iOS 26.5 So Far

New models in the Private Cloud Compute environment, at least the ones that Shortcuts’ “Use Cloud Model” action uses…

 

[HouseLannister]

I’ll take the ads in my maps because I am old enough to remember paying for annual map updates to my GPS. This is better than putting Maps behind a subscription service.

 

[rjp1]

If you're going to use a map app with ads, then you might as well use the best app available. I stick to all Apple apps until there is some nonsense to make me consider other options.

 

[Zenman12]

You missed that beta 3 adds year subscriptions.

 

[samelot628]

Tim Cook would never have allowed this.

 

[appeals.key_0k]

Ads absolutely everywhere. I hate this world.

 

[sonyco]

would love it if you could share that iOS 26 green wallpaper!!! 😍

 

[dkh587]

If 26.5 allows editing and unsending RCS messages, I’ll update immediately

They may end up just incorporating E2EE, and hiding the other features from 3.0. They haven’t been testing any other features, so it’s not looking good.

 

[Zenman12]

If 26.5 allows editing and unsending RCS messages, I’ll update immediately

RCS is controlled by GSMA. I believe they only demand encryption right now.

 

[marte91]

I’ll take the ads in my maps because I am old enough to remember paying for annual map updates to my GPS. This is better than putting Maps behind a subscription service.

I would rather pay than having annoying adds, of course you are entitled to your opinion, and I'm also old enough to remember the days before google maps and smart-phone based navigation, Its almost like the streaming services (Netflix, apple, Amazon, Etc.), i don't mind paying for no Adds tier, but the moment its said its free and with adds, i would cancel in a heartbeat.

 

[smithdr]

Hopefully Apple fixes the bug introduced in 26.4.1 that disabled hardware display calibrations.

 

[MacAndMic]

How long until maps makes you go past, not necessarily the best direction, of one of their paid advertisers….

 

[SSDGUY]

My gosh this liquid glass thing can't get replaced soon enough. Every time I see these update graphics, squint my eyes a little, and watch them turn into illegible blobs, I shake my head at whoever came up with this UI aesthestic. For decades I've tracked with Apple's design choices, but this … huh-uhh. 🤢

 

[diblasio]

My gosh this liquid glass thing can't get replaced soon enough. Every time I see these update graphics, squint my eyes a little, and watch them turn into illegible blobs, I shake my head at whoever came up with this UI aesthestic. For decades I've tracked with Apple's design choices, but this … huh-uhh. 🤢

What are you talking about? Like what specifically in these static images are morphing into blobs?

 

[Chameleon94x]

RCS is controlled by GSMA. I believe they only demand encryption right now.

Incorrect. Those other features are mandatory and have been in the documentation since UP 2.7. If Apple doesn't adopt them, it gives the DOJ even more ammo in their antitrust case against Apple. Even if that doesn't go that way, China could require all features of the UP in the future.

 

[Chameleon94x]

They may end up just incorporating E2EE, and hiding the other features from 3.0. They haven’t been testing any other features, so it’s not looking good.

Just asking to keep being litigated against. It is ridiculous that Apple continues to gatekeep something as basic as editing a damn text message. It's truly pathetic behavior. Shouldn't even need to be tested because it's already there in the iMessage UX/UI.

 

[Zenman12]

Incorrect. Those other features are mandatory and have been in the documentation since UP 2.7. If Apple doesn't adopt them, it gives the DOJ even more ammo in their antitrust case against Apple. Even if that doesn't go that way, China could require all features of the UP in the future.

No you are incorrect. The GSMA is in charge of RCS. All its members implements what it wants.

Rich Communication Services

What is RCS? RCS, or Rich Communication Services, enhances traditional SMS messaging by offering a suite of service capabilities, including group chat, file transfers, typing notifications, and more. It aims to provide a modern messaging experience akin to popular OTT platforms. This evolution...

www.gsma.com

RCS Encryption: A Leap Towards Secure and Interoperable Messaging

Tom Van Pelt, Technical Director, GSMA In my last post, ‘RCS Now in iOS: a New Chapter for Mobile Messaging‘, I celebrated the integration of Rich Communication Services (RCS) with Apple’s iOS 18, a culmination of years of collaboration across mobile operators, device manufacturers, and...

www.gsma.com

 

[Chameleon94x]

No you are incorrect. The GSMA is in charge of RCS and all its members implementing what it wants.

RCS Encryption: A Leap Towards Secure and Interoperable Messaging

Tom Van Pelt, Technical Director, GSMA In my last post, ‘RCS Now in iOS: a New Chapter for Mobile Messaging‘, I celebrated the integration of Rich Communication Services (RCS) with Apple’s iOS 18, a culmination of years of collaboration across mobile operators, device manufacturers, and...

www.gsma.com

You clearly don't understand what Universal Profile is. Universal Profile sets the requirements in each version of RCS. RCS is up to 3.1, and message edits, direct replies, and deletion were all REQUIRED for the client to implement in order to be in line with the standard protocol as of UP 2.7. The language in the GSMA documentation states that the client, for instance, SHALL, allow a user to edit a text for a period of 15 minutes. SHALL means the client has to implement this feature. SHALL means it is a required feature to meet that version of UP.

 

[ZeromusZeromus]

It took them half a year fix a major directions issue in my city where Apple Maps loved telling everyone to turn left at a dangerous intersection with a giant NO LEFT TURN sign, so it makes sense they need more ad money to improve the app... 🙄