Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 with End-to-End Encryption for RCS Messages, Suggested Places in Apple Maps, and Pride Luminance Wallpaper

Apple has today released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 to the public, bringing end-to-end encryption to RCS messages for supported carriers, a new "suggested places" feature when performing a search in Apple Maps, and a new "Pride Luminance" wallpaper.

Accessibility Changes for Blind, Deaf Blind, and Low Vision Users

Resolved Bugs

Our experience is that the following accessibility bug has been resolved in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5:

• The lyrics for the currently playing song in Apple Music are once again viewable with VoiceOver.

Release Notes

iOS 26.5

This update introduces support for end-to-end encrypted RCS (beta) messaging and a downloadable Pride Luminance wallpaper, along with enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone

This update includes the following enhancements:

• End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time. For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/109526
• Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download
• Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what's trending nearby and your recent searches

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100 Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/ Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: https://support.apple.com/125039

iPadOS 26.5

This update introduces a downloadable Pride Luminance wallpaper, along with enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPad.

This update includes the following enhancements:

• Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download
• Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what's trending nearby and your recent searches

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100 Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPad models. To learn more, please visit: https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/ Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: https://support.apple.com/125039

How to Update

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update), via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.

Before updating, we strongly recommend making a full and complete backup of your device (either locally or in iCloud, depending on personal preference). This will ensure that, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong during the update process, you will have a current backup on hand in case a device restore becomes necessary. Also, if using OTA update, we recommend plugging your device into a power source for the duration of the download/installation process, so as to prevent the unlikely event of your battery going dead during the update.