Apple has released the first iOS 26.5 RC build, highlighting three enhancements coming to your iPhone. iOS 26.5 will likely be released to everyone next week.

iOS 26.5 release notes

Here are the official release notes for iOS 26.5, which detail three enhancements coming to your iPhone.

First, there’s the high level description of what’s new in iOS 26.5 for iPhone users:

This update introduces for end-to-end encrypted RCS (beta) messaging and a downloadable Pride Luminance wallpaper, along with enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.

Next, Apple highlights these changes in greater detail:

• End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time.
• Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download.
• Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what’s trending nearby and your recent searches.

We also know Apple Maps is introducing ads, starting with the United States and Canada, but iOS 26.5 doesn’t automatically bring ads to the app. Instead, Apple will launch the program later this summer.

Apple also has a new watch face coming to Apple Watch as part of iOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5. See the new wallpaper and watch face here.

Looking ahead, Apple is preparing to unveil iOS 27, which is expected to focus on Siri and Apple Intelligence, in just a little over a month’s time.

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