iOS 26.5 RC― Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements

[Banglazed]

iOS 26.5 RC​

Release Date ― May 4, 2026
Build Number ― 23F75
Darwin Kernel Version ― 25.5.0: Thu Apr 23 20:39:55 PDT 2026; root:xnu-12377.122.4~1

This update introduces support for end-to-end encrypted RCS (beta) messaging and a downloadable Pride Luminance wallpaper, along with enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone

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

iOS 26.5 Beta Release Notes

New Issues
Remaining Issues
Resolved Issues
Features
Additional Notes

• Developers and testers can report bugs using the Feedback app. If you put your settings back on “None” for the betas, you can still open the app by entering the following URL in Safari:
  

  applefeedback://

• iOS 26 Overview
• iOS 26 Press Release
• iOS 26 Release Notes
• iOS Beta Release Notes
• iOS Security Updates

Spoiler: Modem Firmware

• iPhone 17 series: 1.60.02
• iPhone Air: 2.05.04
• iPhone 16 series: 2.60.00
• iPhone 16e: 2.02.03
• iPhone 15 series: 3.50.08
• iPhone 14 series: 4.40.01
• iPhone 13 series and iPhone SE (3rd gen): 5.51.02
• iPhone 12 series: 5.10.01
• iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE (2nd gen) and iPad Air (Cellular, 4th gen): 6.50.00

Spoiler: Carrier Version

Australia

• Optus - 64.5.8
• Telstra - 64.5.13
• Vodafone AU - 70.0

Belgium

• BASE - 33.0
• Orange B - 58
• Proximus - 45.0
• Telenet - 66.0

Brazil (info updated 26.5RC, last change in 26.5RC)

• Claro Brasil - 70.0
• Vivo - 70.0
• TIM -
• Oi - declared bankrupt in Nov 10th 2025

Canada

• Bell - 62.8
• Fido - 56.0
• Fizz - 53.0
• Freedom/Shaw Mobile - 54.8.6
• Mint Mobile - 58.0
• Public Mobile - 54.8.4
• Rogers - 70.0
• Telus - 54.8.8
• Videotron - 53.0
• Virgin Mobile - 50.0

Denmark

• 3 DK - 46.7.11
• TDC 69.5
• Norlys 69.5

Finland

• DNA - 58.5.7

France

• Bouygues Telecom - 40.0
• Orange France - 63.0
• Free - 68.0
• SFR -

Germany

• Vodafone.de - 70.0 and RCS enabled
• Telekom.de - 70.0 and RCS enabled
• o2-de - 61.6.1 RCS enabled

Greece:

• Cosmote - 38.0

Guatemala

• TIGO GT - 49.0

India

• Airtel - 58.5.18
• Jio - 69.0 (iPhone) and 58.5.18 (iPad)
• Vi India (Vodafone Idea) - 58.5

Ireland

• Eir - 33.5
• Vodafone IE - 38.0

Mexico

• AT&T - 57.0
• Telcel - 57.6

Morocco

• Orange - 50.0

Netherlands

• KPN - 68.0
• Vodafone NL - 68.0
• Odido - 68.0

Poland

• T-Mobile - 64.5.4
• Orange - 64.5.2
• Play - 61.0
• Plus - 61.0

Portugal

• Vodafone P - 40.0

Romania

• Orange RO - 55.0

Slovakia

• Orange SK - 57.6

Southeast Asia

• Singapore Singtel -
• Philippines Globe - 70.0
• Philippines Globe (iPad) - 38.0
• Philippines Smart - 70.0
• Thailand AIS - 53.0
• Thailand DTAC - 53.0
• Malaysia Umobile - 33.0
• Malaysia Maxis -33.0
• Malaysia Digi -
• Malaysia celcom -
• Hong Kong - 32.0
• Taiwan -

Spain

• Orange ES - 69.0
• DIGI ES - 54.8.4
• Vodafone ES - 54.8.8
• Movistar - 67.5.1
• Yoigo - 69.0

Sweden

• Comviq -
• Tre - 31.0

Switzerland

• Salt - 58.0
• Sunrise - 70.0
• Swisscom - 70.0

Turkey

• Turkcell (Lifecell) - 36.5.5
• Vodafone TR - 32.0
• Turk Telekom - 32.0

United Kingdom

• BT-UK (EE MVNO) -
• EE - 70.0
• Giffgaff (O2 MVNO) -
• iD Mobile (Three MVNO) - 69.5
• Lebara (Vodafone MVNO) - 67.5.1
• Lyca (EE MVNO) -
• Mozillion (EE MVNO) - 67.0
• O2-UK - 69.5.2
• Sky (O2 MVNO) - 69.5.1
• Three - 69.0
• Virgin Mobile (O2 MVNO) -
• Vodafone UK - 64.5.5
• Smarty (Three MVNO) - v70.0

United States

• AT&T - 70.0
• Boost - 57.0
• Cricket - 60.5.5
• FirstNet - 55.0
• FirstNet (iPad) - 41.7.6
• Metro (TMO MVNO) - 70.0
• Spectrum (VZW MVNO) - 70.0
• T-Mobile - 70.0
• TracFone/Straight Talk/Walmart Family Mobile - 63.5
• U.S. Cellular - 46.7.24
• Ultra/Mint Mobile (TMO MVNO) - 64.5.16
• Verizon - 70.0
• Visible (VZW MVNO) - 70.0
• Xfinity Mobile - 67.5.1

Other

• Docomo - 32.5.10
• AlwaysOnline -

Historical beta release chart

iOS Version History Chart

iOS version history chart

www.thinkybits.com

 

[Channelsurfer63]

Thanks Banglazed, looking forward to running this.

 

[Maloney~888]

Jumping aboard the 26.5 train now 😁

 

[ValerieDurden]

Jumping aboard the 26.5 train now 😁

Same like I do with every RC.

 

[podycust]

Vodafone uk rcs support? Lol

 

[jfim88]

Downloading. Coming from 26.4.2

Public available too

 

[cigz]

IPSW are up.

16 pro and 17 pro users - watch out, if you try to download 17 pro's IPSW - you'll be downloading 16 pro's IPSW.
Same thing with 16 pro - you'll be downloading 17 pro's IPSW.

AFAIK it happened with previous beta versions - how's it possible they still didn't fix that?

 

[gtmead09]

Holy slowness Batman, both on the download side and preparing side lol. My iPhone started the download when it was about released and it just finished preparing as of this post.

Edit: if phone was this slow, it will be days for my watch lol.

 

[Simacca]

Vodafone uk rcs support? Lol

Wishful thinking

 

[iCrow]

IPSW are up.

16 pro and 17 pro users - watch out, if you try to download 17 pro's IPSW - you'll be downloading 16 pro's IPSW.
Same thing with 16 pro - you'll be downloading 17 pro's IPSW.

AFAIK it happened with previous beta versions - how's it possible they still didn't fix that?

Just for making @MrRom92 definitively crazy !

 

[Manneman32]

I don’t get ”proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities for third-party wearables like earbuds and smartwatches”… what does that do? No changes I can see when connecting either watch (huawei) or bluetooth earbuds/headphones… what am I missing?

 

[Simacca]

Nice and smooth so far. Am liking the new ‘pride’ wallpaper, which the colours can be altered for anyone who’s triggered by its meaning.

Still no RCS for Vodafone uk

 

[LutzRFrank]

new Carrier Versions for Vodafone DE, and Sunrise CH - 70.0
(Wiki adjusted)

 

[cigz]

FYI - updated my 17 Pro with IPSW without problems.

 

[MrRom92]

Just for making @MrRom92 definitively crazy !

Good thing I am on a 15 pro! But I will be avoiding 26.5 regardless

 

[iCrow]

Orange France 70.0 carrier version

 

[Blue Hawk]

Better than 26.4.2? This one is pretty much buggy here.

 

[ValerieDurden]

Better than 26.4.2? This one is pretty much buggy here.

Time will tell, feels better than 26.4.2.

 

[MCKLMT]

Orange France 70.0 carrier version

What does that mean/bring?

 

[Banglazed]

Updated 16 PM without any issue using IPSW

 

[Reeneman]

You can customize the new pride wallpaper with your own selection of 5 colours. Pretty cool.
*correction: up to a selection of 12 colours 🙂

 

[Maloney~888]

EE carrier version 70.0

 

[Brettka7]

Loving these new wallpapers. Recreated the iPhone X stock wallpapers for day/night mode for now!

 

[cableguy84]

EE carrier version 70.0

I’m hoping for better connectivity with this update. My 17 PM on EE has been randomly dropping reception..

 

[Reeneman]

Modem Firmware 1.60.02 on 17 Pro 🙂