iOS 26.5: 3 New iPhone Features You Should Know About
iOS 26.5 brings 3 new options to your iPhone, including RCS encryption, new Pride wallpapers, Apple Maps changes, and smoother performance.
5/6/20264 min read
With WWDC26 now just around the corner, Apple is preparing one more major iPhone update before unveiling iOS 27. In this article, I’ll take a look at the upcoming iOS 26.5 release and the 3 new features it will bring to your iPhone.
Apple has already released four developer betas of iOS 26.5 over the past few weeks, focusing on performance improvements, bug fixes, and a few new additions across the system. On May 4, Apple officially released the iOS 26.5 Release Candidate (RC), which is usually the final beta version before the public rollout.
While iOS 27 and Apple Intelligence features are expected to take the spotlight during WWDC26 in about four weeks, iOS 26.5 still adds a few useful changes worth checking out before the next big iPhone update arrives.
New features in iOS 26.5
RCS End-to-End Encryption is finally coming to the Messages app in iOS 26.5. Apple already started testing RCS encryption during the iOS 26.4 beta cycle, but the feature was suddenly removed in the final iOS 26.4 beta. At the time, Apple mentioned that support could return in a future beta. Now, Apple has confirmed that End-to-End Encryption for RCS messages will be enabled in iOS 26.5, making conversations in the Messages app more private and secure.
RCS is the next generation of SMS messaging. It brings modern messaging features like typing indicators, high-quality photos and videos, read receipts, and better group chats between iPhone and Android users. With End-to-End Encryption in iOS 26.5, these conversations will also become more private and secure.
iOS 26.5 will also bring new Pride Luminance wallpapers to iPhone and iPad. Apple recently introduced its latest Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Loop, a matching Pride watch face, and new wallpapers designed to celebrate Pride. The new Apple Watch Pride Edition Sport Loop is available to order now. The matching Pride watch face and Pride Luminance wallpapers are already included in the iOS 26.5 RC release and are expected to be available in the final public version of iOS 26.5 in mid-May.
There are 2 new Pride wallpapers, and both can be customised with 12 different color options. They also create a stunning animation effect when opening and closing the Lock Screen.
iOS 26.5 will also bring Suggested Places to Apple Maps.
Apple Maps is getting ready for a few changes. Apple has already announced that ads are coming to Apple Maps in the United States and Canada this summer. During the iOS 26.5 beta cycle, Apple also added a new Apple Maps splash screen related to ads, and Suggested Places started appearing in the app.
You can find Suggested Places when you tap the search field in Apple Maps. The app will show two suggested locations based on your current location, making it easier to quickly find nearby places.
iOS 26.5 brings more changes than just new features. The update also includes smaller improvements and refinements across the system.
With the upcoming iOS 26.5, is adding a new App Store subscription option: monthly payments with a 12-month commitment. More flexibility for users, and a new billing plan developers can offer.
iOS 26.5 also feels smoother and more responsive overall.
Apple has made improvements to speed and performance, and the keyboard input lag seems to be better too. Keyboard performance was not great in iOS 26.3, but Apple already improved it a lot with iOS 26.4. With iOS 26.5, typing feels even more stable and responsive.
