iOS 26.5 could deliver end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to your iPhone soon

Apple has released the fourth beta version of iOS 26.5 on Tuesday, more than a month after the company released the massive release iOS 26.4 Update included New emojisVideo podcasts and more. iOS 26.5 beta brings some smaller — but impactful — changes to iOS 26.5 iPhone For developers and beta testers, including end-to-end encrypted RCS messages.

Since this is a beta, I recommend only downloading it on a device other than your primary device. This is not the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update may have some bugs and battery life may be reduced, so 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 in maybe.

Returns end-to-end encrypted RCS messages

iOS 26.5 beta brings back an option to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on your device. 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 can finally bring privacy protection to 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 writes 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 could be coming to Maps soon

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

The iOS 26.5 beta 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.

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.

These are some of the new features that developers and public beta testers can try out now with the fourth public beta of iOS 26.5. There will likely 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 Publish online It will release iOS 26.5 to the general public in May, but the company 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 iOS 26 cheat sheet.