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:

• iOS 26.4.2 and iPadOS 26.4.2
• Ads in Apple Maps
• Encrypted RCS Standard

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.

John Gruber (Mastodon):

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.

Juli Clover:

Encrypted messages are denoted with a small lock symbol.

Matt Birchler:

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.)

Antitrust Digital Markets Act (DMA) iOS iOS 26 iOS Release iPadOS iPadOS 26 iPadOS Release Messages.app Privacy Rich Communication Services (RCS) Security

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