iOS 26.5 is now available and brings end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to your iPhone

Apple launched iOS 26.5 on Monday, roughly seven weeks after the blockbuster was released iOS 26.4 Update included New emojisVideo podcasts and more. Although iOS 26.5 is not as large as the previous update, it does include RCS messages are end-to-end encryptedAn updated maps app and more 50 bug fixes.

You can download iOS 26.5 now by going to Settings And eavesdropping general. Next, select Software updatehandle Update now Follow the prompts on your screen.

Here are some of the new features that iOS 26.5 brings to your iPhone.

Returns end-to-end encrypted RCS messages

The iOS 26.5 update is finally coming RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted to your device. When Apple brought RCS messages For iPhone with iOS 18One feature that the messaging protocol was missing was end-to-end encryption. Now, this privacy protection will be available on your iPhone.

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

Apple says in describing the feature that it is still in beta, and that it only works on certain carriers and devices. According to Apple, encrypted messages will be classified, so you should know when your messages are classified and when they don’t have that level of protection.

Ads can reach maps

If you open the Maps app after downloading iOS 26.5, 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 through 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

The iOS 26.5 update also brings new sections and a new list of suggested places in the Maps app. Once in the app, tap on the search bar as if you were searching 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

Apple’s iOS 26.5 also brings a new Pride wallpaper to 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. You can choose from 11 preset color palettes for this wallpaper, or create a custom color palette after selecting it.

Monthly payments on annual subscriptions

The iOS 26.5 update also introduces a new way to pay for subscriptions in the App Store. apple Online wrote that developers can now 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 the app offers a discounted annual subscription, you can subscribe to the annual plan at a lower price and pay monthly. However, Apple said that if you cancel your subscription before it 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 9to5MacThe iOS 26.5 update also allows third-party extensions to 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:

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.

For more iOS news, here’s everything you should know RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted on your device, iOS 26.4 and iOS 26.3. You can also check our website iOS 26 cheat sheet.