iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5
Juli Clover (iOS/iPadOS release notes, security, no enterprise, developer):
iOS 26.5 introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users. E2EE for RCS requires both participants in the conversation to have a carrier that supports the feature, and carriers will be rolling out support over time. Encrypted RCS messages have a small lock symbol, and match the end-to-end encryption protections of iMessage.
In the Maps app, there is a new “Suggested Places” section that displays recommendations based on location and recent searches. The Maps app is getting ads this summer, and the groundwork for ads is included in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.
Apple added a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that matches the Pride Luminance Apple Watch face and Apple Watch band. The updates are largely the same on iPad.
Apple is calling encrypted RCS a beta:
Apple and Google have led a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS), making the cross-platform messaging format that replaces traditional SMS more secure and private.
[…]
Encryption is on by default and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations.
[…]
[iMessage] remains the best way to communicate between Apple devices.
See also: Wired.
Previously:
Update (2026-05-12): Juli Clover:
iOS 26.5 introduces several interoperability changes for third-party wearables, which means European iPhone users have access to new capabilities when using non-Apple accessories.
I hope this leads to a future where all RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, but I doubt it. Currently this E2EE RCS depends both on the carriers (of both parties) in a direct chat, and the software running on their devices. The carrier list is pretty broad, but as far as I can tell, it still doesn’t include Google’s own Google Fi.
But the indication for this is subtle. You have to read the small print metadata in each chat to see if it’s encrypted. The message text remains the same shade of green.
Encrypted messages are denoted with a small lock symbol.
Support is excellent as well. Here in the US, all carriers that support RCS, also support encrypted RCS except for H20 Wireless and Total Wireless.
Previously:
- iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 18.7.9
- iOS 26.3: Proximity Pairing in EU
- iOS 26.3: Notification Forwarding in EU
Update (2026-05-13): John Gruber (Mastodon):
These new DMA compliance features are the result of requirements imposed in March last year — again, from investigations that began under Vestager, not Ribera.
[…]
The EU hasn’t rescinded any of their existing requirements under the DMA. But Ribera has clearly deescalated the EU’s approach to regulating American companies in general, and Apple specifically. No new requirements in over a year, no new investigations, and no inflammatory rhetoric. (Still no iPhone Mirroring in the EU, either, though, because they haven’t rescinded any already-imposed requirements.)
5 Comments RSS · Twitter · Mastodon
Seems like Apple switched strategies again, or the general release of 18.7.8 was a mistake. On my phone capable of running 26, 18.7.9 does *not* show up. What a shame, if it stays that way.
I can only speculate about the reasons. Maaaaybe the security updates weren't so important this time. Then again, they weren't mentioned for 18.7.8 either. (18.7.7 was the emergency update).
So Apple is becoming like Google and polluting up their apps with ads? Wonderful. Pay a premium for Apple hardware and buggy software and then have to deal with ads. I can't wait. Enshitification of Apple continues. Thanks, Tim!
@ED: did you (or anybody) get the 18.7.8 update? I am still on 18.7.7. iPhone SE 2020, capable of running iOS 26. Owner unwilling, though.
@Thomas: yes, I got 18.7.8 when I checked on the day it came out by disabling iOS 18 beta updates (there are no more IOS 18 betas anyway, but it disables the iOS 26 nagging). I also updated the phones of my parents, I don't think that was on the same day. Did they stop offering it?! Gah.
