Apple Releases iOS 26.5 With Encrypted RCS Messaging Beta

Apple released iOS 26.5 on Monday, introducing beta support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices. The change means messages sent through the default texting app to Android users can now be protected so neither Apple nor Google can read them in transit, matching the long-standing encryption used for iMessage conversations between Apple devices.

The encryption feature is rolling out gradually and depends on carrier participation as well as the Android user running the newest version of Google Messages. It is enabled by default where supported, with expanded availability expected to increase over time.

A lock icon and the word “Encrypted” appear at the top of qualifying chats. Users can verify the setting after installing the update by opening the Settings app, navigating to Apps then Messages, and scrolling to RCS Messaging. A green toggle indicates the beta encryption is active.

Conversations continue to display as iMessage, Text Message - RCS, or Text Message - SMS at the bottom of threads, with SMS chats remaining unencrypted.

The 1.61-gigabyte update also includes a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors. In the Maps app, a Suggested Places feature now recommends locations based on recent searches and nearby trends. The same app update begins showing local ads as search suggestions tied to approximate location or current search terms, though Apple states the advertising data is not linked to an Apple account.

These additions follow earlier modernization of RCS support that brought higher-resolution images, read receipts and typing indicators to cross-platform chats. Until now those RCS conversations lacked encryption options available to iMessage users.

““Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.””

Before WWDC Industry observers expect iOS 26.5 to be among the final significant releases before Apple unveils iOS 27 at its Worldwide Developers Conference next month. The company has not included new Siri features in this update; those had been anticipated by some but are now widely expected with the next major version.

The operating system supports iPhone 11 series and newer models, including the latest iPhone 17e and iPhone Air.

“General”

“Software Update. Apple simultaneously released matching 26.5 versions of iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS and HomePod software. The security content of the updates is detailed on Apple’s public vulnerabilities page. No sweeping platform changes are included, consistent with the late stage of the iOS 26 cycle.”