Apple has launched a second round of release candidates for iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, moving the updates closer to public release with a smaller series of fixes and feature additions.
The RC builds arrived a week after the fourth beta builds. Release candidates are generally the final versions provided by Apple publicly, unless major bugs force additional revisions during last-minute testing.
Build number 23F77 appears on Apple’s developer portal for iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, replacing the previous version 23F75 RC released on May 4.
iOS 26.5 focuses on smaller platform updates
iOS 26.5 focuses on bug fixes, interoperability updates, and smaller feature additions instead of major interface changes or new Apple Intelligence features. The lighter update fits Apple’s usual pattern ahead of WWDC, where the company typically shows off its next generation of operating systems.
Support for encrypted RCS is one of the most notable additions discovered during the beta cycle. This feature is dependent on carriers adopting the latest GSMA Universal Profile specifications and extends support for encrypted messaging beyond Apple’s existing iMessage ecosystem.
New Pride-themed wallpapers are also included in the update, along with additional changes related to the European Union Digital Markets Act. Expanded support for live activity and notification forwarding on certain third-party accessories and connected devices has emerged during testing as part of these compliance efforts.
Apple continues to work on Apple Maps ads in iOS 26.5, but the sponsored search and recommendation features do not appear publicly active in current versions. The company hasn’t announced a release date for iOS 26.5 or iPadOS 26.5, and RC builds typically arrive shortly before the public rollout.
Most of the visible changes in iOS 26.5 focus on stability improvements and incremental feature updates rather than major platform changes. Apple will preview iOS 27, macOS 27, and its next round of platform updates at WWDC 2026 in June.