iOS 26.5 is now available to everyone after six weeks of beta testing. The update adds fresh wallpapers, new features to Apple Maps, and more.
Perhaps most notably, iOS 26.5 adds support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging. Apple says the feature, which is still a beta, will roll out gradually over the coming months …
Apple first added RCS support to iPhone with iOS 18.1, enabling richer cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. This included features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-resolution photo and video attachments.
Last March, Apple announced its plans to add support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. Apple started beta-testing the feature with iOS 26.4 earlier this year, and now it’s starting to roll out to everyone as part of iOS 26.5.
Apple is still labeling RCS encryption as a beta feature in iOS 26.5. It is enabled by default. You can toggle it on or off by going to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and looking for the new “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” toggle.
