The topic iOS 26.5 now available: Here are all the new iPhone features is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
After six weeks of beta testing, iOS 26.5 is now available to everyone. The update comes with a handful of new features and changes. Here’s everything you need to know.
iOS 26.5 is now available to everyone. iPhone users can head to the Settings app, choose General, then choose Software Update to install it.
iOS 26.5 adds new wallpapers for iPhone users. The new wallpapers come as part of Apple’s 2026 Pride collection. The Pride Luminance wallpapers are highly customizable. Users can choose from dozens of different color combinations.
Apple says the Pride Luminance wallpaper highlights “colors that refract dynamically to celebrate the vibrancy, spirit, and individuality of the LGBTQ+ community.” It’s a “joyful and dynamic design” for iPhone users, complementing the Pride band for Apple Watch and matching Apple Watch face.
Read more: iOS 26.5 adds beautiful wallpapers for your iPhone, here’s what’s new
Last month, Apple announced its plans to bring ads to Apple Maps this summer. iOS 26.5 lays the groundwork for that change, adding the following text: “Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search.”
As of iOS 26.5, however, Apple hasn’t actually rolled out ads to Apple Maps.
iOS 26.5 also enables a new Suggested Places feature in Apple Maps. This feature, which you can see above, will “display recommendations based on what’s trending nearby, the user’s recent searches, and more.”
Apple started testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging with iOS 26.4. The feature, however, didn’t actually ship as part of that update. Apple said it would come as part of a future iOS 26 update.
Now, as part of iOS 26.5, RCS end-to-end encryption is rolling out to everyone. The feature is enabled by default. You can manage the option by going to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging, where you’ll see a new “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” toggle.
You can view the carriers that support RCS end-to-end encryption on this webpage. The feature is rolling out gradually over the coming months. Even if a carrier is listed on the above webpage as supported, the feature might not be available for all users of that carrier right away.
If RCS encryption is enabled for your device, you’ll see a lock icon at the top of the thread in the Messages app.
Read more: iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging, rolling out now
iOS 26.5 enables a new purchase options in the App Store. This will include an option that will let developers bill users monthly, but with a 12-month commitment. This is common on many other app store-style platforms and with many subscription services.
Apple further detailed this change in a developer announcement:
To provide transparency, people can easily view the number of completed and remaining payments for the subscription in their Apple Account. Apple will also send email and, if opted in, push notifications ahead of their renewal date to remind them of their upcoming purchase.
Interestingly, this option will be available in the App Store around the world … but not in the United States or Singapore. Apple hasn’t explained why.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: there are more changes for iPhone users in the EU. As part of iOS 26.5, Apple is rolling out Live Activities support for third-party accessories. This will allow accessories to receive and display Live Activities from an iPhone.
Additionally, there’s continued development of support for notifications and proximity pairing for third-party accessories. Third-party audio switching is also in the works.
With iOS 26.5, it’s now easier to pair a Magic Keyboard, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse to your iPhone or iPad. When you connect one of those accessories via USB-C, it will now remain connected via Bluetooth once you unplug it. You no longer have to pair it manually the Settings app.
Finally, Apple says that iOS 26.5 includes fixes for more than 50 security issues on iPhone. As always, we recommend updating as soon as possible to make sure you have the most secure version of iOS possible on your iPhone.
Read more: iOS 26.5 has fixes for 50+ security issues on iPhone, details here
As you can see, iOS 26.5 is a relatively small update compared to iOS 26.4. Internally, a lot of Apple’s attention is dedicated to iOS 27 at this point, which is set to be announced at WWDC in June.
Have you spotted any other iOS 26.5 changes? Are there any last-minute updates you hope Apple makes to iOS 26 before focus shifts to iOS 27? Let us know down in the comments.