iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Apple released iOS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn’t have the Siri features we were hoping for since those carry over to iOS 27, there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about.

End-to-end encryption for RCS

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) support for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is included in iOS 26.5, meaning that texts you send to your Android friends can now have the same security as iMessages exchanged with another iPhone user.

Encrypted ‌RCS‌ messages are available on supported carriers and will be rolled out over time, and for conversations to be encrypted, both the recipient and sender must use a carrier that supports the latest version of ‌RCS‌.

End-to-end encryption is enabled by default and there is an option in the Messages section of the Settings app. Encrypted messages are marked with a small padlock symbol.

Wallpaper

iOS 26.5 includes a new colorful Pride Luminance wallpaper that can be customized with multiple color options.

Maps app

The Maps app includes a new Suggested Places feature that recommends places to visit based on your recent searches and nearby trends.

iOS 26.5 also laid the groundwork for ads in the Maps app, but the ads aren’t live yet.

EU changes for third-party wearable devices

To comply with EU Digital Markets Law, Apple is allowing third-party wearable devices to access certain features historically limited to Apple Watch and AirPods.

Here are the new features:

• Proximity coupling – Third-party headphones can use proximity pairing to connect to an iPhone, like AirPods. Bringing a set of earbuds that support this feature near an iPhone will initiate a one-click pairing process, similar to AirPods, so third-party wearable devices like earbuds will no longer require multiple steps to pair.
• iPhone notifications – Third-party accessories such as smartwatches can receive notifications from iPhone, and users can view and respond to them. The iPhone’s interactive notifications were limited to the Apple Watch, while third-party wearables were only able to display read-only notifications. Notifications can only be forwarded to one connected device at a time, so enabling notifications for a third-party wearable disables notifications on Apple Watch.
• Live Activities – iPhone live activity can be viewed on a third-party wearable device, similar to how live activity is viewed on an Apple Watch.

Accessory makers will need to add support for interoperability updates, so they may not be available immediately. Third-party TVs, smartwatches, and headphones will be able to use these features.

Expanded support for third-party wearables is limited to iPhone users located in the European Union with an Apple account set to an EU country or region.

Magic props

When you connect an accessory such as a Magic Keyboard to an iPhone via USB-C, the iPhone will automatically establish a Bluetooth connection with the accessory.

Transfer iPhone to Android

When switching from an iPhone to an Android device, there is a new setting to select message attachments to transfer. There are options for All, 1 year or 30 days.

Apple Books

There are mentions of new rewards in the Apple Books app, which are likely for
end of year balance sheets.

Keyboard layout

iOS 26.5 offers an Inuktitut keyboard layout option.

Security fixes

iOS 26.5 fixes more than 50 vulnerabilities, so it’s a good idea to update as soon as possible to get the latest protections. None of the vulnerabilities were actively exploited.