iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features

iOS 26.5 is expected to beryllium released this May, pursuing much than a period of beta testing. The update is comparatively insignificant truthful far, which is not excessively astonishing fixed that Apple is starting to displacement its absorption towards iOS 27.


iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for end-to-end encryption for RCS successful the Messages app and ads successful the Apple Maps app, and it volition see a caller Pride wallpaper and a fewer different changes. Below, we outline each of the notable additions successful iOS 26.5.

End-to-End Encryption for RCS

End-to-end encryption for ‌RCS‌ is simply a information diagnostic that ensures that messages sent betwixt supported iOS 26.5 and Android devices are encrypted and cannot beryllium intercepted and work by a 3rd enactment portion they are being delivered.

Apple already tested end-to-end encryption for RCS successful the iOS 26.4 beta, but the diagnostic did not marque it into the final merchandise of iOS 26.4 successful March. The enactment returned successful the iOS 26.5 beta, but it remains to beryllium seen if it makes it into the last release.

Ads and "Suggested Places" successful Apple Maps

In March, Apple announced that localized ads are coming to the Apple Maps app connected the iPhone and iPad successful the U.S. and Canada starting "this summer," and determination is grounds of Apple preparing for that within iOS 26.5's code.

Apple says businesses successful the U.S. and Canada volition beryllium capable to spot section ads successful hunt results and astatine the apical of a caller "Suggested Places" section.

"Ads connected Maps volition look erstwhile users hunt successful Maps, and tin look astatine the apical of a user's hunt results based connected relevance, arsenic good arsenic astatine the apical of a caller Suggested Places acquisition successful Maps, which volition show recommendations based connected what's trending nearby, the user's caller searches, and more," says Apple.

Similar to the ads that are already shown successful App Store hunt results connected the iPhone and iPad, ads successful Apple Maps volition person an "Ad" label, and Apple promises beardown privateness protections. For example, Apple says a user's determination and the ads they spot and interact with successful Apple Maps are not associated with a user's Apple Account.

New Pride Wallpaper

Alongside the new Pride Edition Sport Loop and Pride Luminance ticker look for the Apple Watch, iOS 26.5 volition see a matching iPhone wallpaper.

Apple said the wallpaper features a "joyful, vibrant plan to observe LGBTQ+ communities worldwide during Pride Month and beyond."

The wallpaper has a dynamic plan with customizable colors.

More

In the iOS 26.5 beta, Apple is besides moving to widen iPhone features similar notifications, Live Activities, and AirPods-like pairing to third-party smartwatches and headphones successful the EU, arsenic required nether the Digital Markets Act.

Beyond that, iOS 26.5 has only a fewer different insignificant changes.
This article, "iOS 26.5 Coming Soon With These New Features" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

Discuss this article successful our forums