iOS 26.5 will likely bring end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to your iPhone

Apple pushed out iOS 26.5 The release is scheduled for Monday, more than a month after the company’s massive launch iOS 26.4 Update included New emojisVideo podcasts and more. iOS 26.5 RC brings some smaller — but impactful — changes to iOS 26.5 RC iPhone For developers and beta testers, including end-to-end encrypted RCS messages.

Since this is an RC, I recommend only downloading it on a device other than your primary one. This is not the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update may have some bugs and battery life may be reduced. It’s best to keep these issues on a secondary device.

Also, since this is not the final version of iOS 26.5, Apple could add more features to the update before it reaches your iPhone.

Here are some of the features developers and beta testers can try out now, and what could be coming to your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5. Apple typically releases iOS updates about a week after an RC release, so it could release iOS 26.5 to the general public on May 11 or 12.

Returns end-to-end encrypted RCS messages

iOS 26.5 RC brings end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging to your device – finally. When Apple brought RCS messages For iPhone with iOS 18One feature that the messaging protocol was missing was end-to-end encryption, and iOS 26.5 will likely provide privacy protection for your iPhone.

To find this setting, go to Settings > Apps > Messaging > RCS Messaging And tap the adjacent slider End-to-end encryption (beta).

Apple wrote in the feature’s description that it is still in beta, and that it only works on certain carriers and devices. Apple also wrote that these encrypted messages will be labeled as such, so you should know when your messages are labeled and when they don’t have this level of protection.

Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta versions of iOS 26.4, but the tech giant has not included the feature in the final release.

Ads can reach maps

If you open the 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 approximate location, current search terms, or map view while searching,” Apple says. “For your privacy, advertising information is not associated with your Apple account.”

Apple announced Apple Business Inc. in He walksallowing businesses to communicate with customers via some of Apple’s first-party apps, such as Mail and Wallet. Apple Business also allows businesses to place local ads in Maps. So, you can start seeing ads in Maps for the coffee shop down the street near your house.

New sections and suggested places in maps

iOS 26.5 RC also brings new sections and a new list of suggested places in the Maps app. Once you’re in the app, tap on the search bar as if you were going to search for a nearby café or restaurant. You will see the new sections below the search bar, and Suggested places It will appear below recently.

New lighting pride wallpaper

iOS 26.5 RC introduces a new Pride wallpaper for your device to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities ahead of Pride Month. The new wallpaper, called Pride Luminance, features vertical lines that change every time you unlock your device.

Monthly payments on annual subscriptions

iOS 26.5 update will introduce a new way to pay for subscriptions in the App Store. apple Online wrote that starting with the next iOS update, developers can offer monthly payments for 12-month subscriptions.

“This new payment option allows you to offer more affordable options to subscribers,” 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 and pay for it monthly. However, Apple wrote that if you cancel your subscription before your subscription ends, you’ll have to continue making payments until the end of your agreement.

Direct activities on third party extensions in the European Union

according to 9to5MaciOS 26.5 beta also lets third-party extensions view live activity updates sent from iPhones. However, this is only available on devices in the European Union.

Here are the full release notes for iOS 26.5 RC:

This update includes the following improvements:

• End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) is available in the Messages app with supported carriers and will be rolled out over time. For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/109526.
• Pride Luminance wallpaper can be downloaded, which reflects a wide range of colors dynamically.
• Suggested places in Maps show recommendations based on nearby directions and your recent searches.

These are some of the new features that developers and public beta testers can try out now with iOS 26.5 RC. There may be more beta versions before the operating system 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 It will release iOS 26.5 to the general public in May, but has not specified a specific date.

For more iOS news, here’s everything you should know iOS 26.4 and iOS 26.3. You can also check our website Cheat sheet for iOS 26.