Apple rolls out iOS 26.5 with encrypted RCS messaging and security fixes

Apple has released iOS 26.5 for supported iPhones, bringing one of the most anticipated messaging upgrades to the platform. The standout addition is end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, currently rolling out in beta for users with supported carriers. This feature is important because it improves privacy and security in chats between iPhone and Android users, bringing cross-platform messaging closer to the protection already available in iMessage. The update also includes more than 50 security fixes, with several affecting core parts of iOS and WebKit, making it an important install even for users who are not interested in the new features.

The release does not include the much-talked-about new Siri, which is still expected later, likely with iOS 27. Apple also added a Pride Luminance wallpaper and a Maps feature called Suggested Places for users in the United States. In the European Union, the update introduces changes tied to the Digital Markets Act, including broader access for third-party wearables to features that were previously limited to Apple devices. Overall, iOS 26.5 is a practical update focused on privacy, security, and gradual platform changes rather than flashy redesigns.