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iOS 26.5 Releases Soon — New Wallpapers, RCS Encryption and All the New Features Coming to Your iPhone

On Tuesday, Apple released the release candidate for iOS 26.5, introducing end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging, localized ads in Apple Maps, and a new Pride-themed wallpaper.
End-to-End encryption for RCS finally arrives in this update, enabling secure communication between Apple and Android users provided the latter use the latest version of Google Messages.
Apple Maps will now display localized ads in search results and a new "Suggested Places" section for users in the United States and Canada, with Apple promising advertising data is not linked to an Apple Account.
Beyond core updates, the software introduces broader CarPlay integration, including the OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT, providing a new option for vocal queries alongside existing Siri and Google Assistant support.
Apple's new Pride wallpaper features 11 customizable design variants to celebrate LGBTQ communities, with the update expected to roll out to the public next week following months of beta testing.

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14 Articles

La Opinion

Left

The iPhone Messages App Will Finally Have the Level of Security It Should Have Always Had

Users will be able to start enjoying end-to-end encryption in the Messages app once they upgrade to iOS 26.5

2 days ago

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Tom's Guide

Center

iOS 26.5 releases soon — new wallpapers, RCS encryption and all the new features coming to your iPhone

The latest version of iOS 26.5 should be released this May with some changes, including ads in Apple Maps.

2 days ago

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Lifehacker

Center

Apple Is Finally About to Make Texting Between iPhone and Android Secure

Apple now supports end-to-end encryption with RCS on iPhones—but only with iOS 26.5.

2 days ago

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9 to 5 Google

Center

Encrypted RCS between Android and iPhone launching with iOS 26.5

With the launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between the iPhone and Google Messages on Android.

2 days ago

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9to5Mac

Center

Apple highlights 3 enhancements coming to iPhone with iOS 26.5

Apple has released the first iOS 26.5 RC build, highlighting three enhancements coming to your iPhone. iOS 26.5 will likely...

2 days ago

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MacRumors

Center

iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features

iOS 26.5 is expected to be released next week, following more than a month of beta testing. The update is relatively minor, but there are a couple of new features and changes across the operating system that we have recapped below. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption for RCS in the Messages app and ads in the Apple Maps app, and it will include a new Pride wallpaper and a few other changes. Below, we outline all of the notable

2 days ago·United States

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