Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 26.5 has just been released for developers. Typically, this means the latest public version of iOS is just around the corner.
So, what new features should iPhone users expect in iOS 26.5? Let’s take a look at what’s new.
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Apple Maps: Ads and Suggested Places
Two new features are coming to Apple Maps with the release of iOS 26.5 — that is, if you consider the introduction of ads on the platform as a new feature, as Apple does.
Apple is bringing ads into its proprietary Apple Maps app with the latest iOS. We first reported on this in March, and Apple is now actively seeking advertisers.
Ads will be clearly labeled, according to Apple. Businesses will be able to run paid advertising on Apple Maps in a similar way to how app developers can run ads in Apple’s App Store. Local ads will show up in Apple Maps based on a user’s location. Ads will show in Apple Maps search results and in Suggested Places.
Speaking of Suggested Places, this is another new feature coming to Apple Maps with iOS 26.5. While ads will also show up in this section, it’s not purely an advertising space. Suggested Places will provide users with recommendations based on the user’s most recent searches, as well as what other nearby Apple Maps users are searching for.
RCS end-to-end encryption
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is basically the messaging protocol that enables iPhone and Android users to message each other with high-quality media, read receipts, and typing indicators. Basically, it provides iPhone users with the familiar Messenger experience when texting with Android users.
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With iOS 26.5, Apple is introducing a layer of protection by enabling end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for those RCS messages.
E2EE will be turned on by default with iOS 26.5. However, iPhone users will be able to turn the feature on or off by going to their Settings app and toggling the End-to-End Encryption option in the Messages section.
With E2EE for RCS, messages sent between iPhone and Android users will be encrypted, meaning they cannot be read by third parties.
Other new features
While those are the major new features coming to iOS 26.5, there are other new additions on the way as well.
For example, when a user connects Apple accessories like the Magic Keyboard to an iPhone via USB-C, the device will automatically connect via Bluetooth as well with iOS 26.5.
Transferring from an iPhone to an Android device with iOS 26.5 provides a new option setting to select which message attachments to include in the transfer. Users can pick all, 1 year, or 30 days as options.
Apple Books also has a new Trophies and Medals feature that rewards users based on their audiobooks and reading habits.
Finally, Apple will also release a new iPhone wallpaper celebrating Pride with iOS 26.5. The Pride wallpaper will match the previously announced Apple Watch Pride band and watch face.
iOS 26.5 may also potentially bring a new feature for users in the EU. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple must allow iPhone features like notification, Live Activities, and AirPods pairing to work with third-party headphones and smartwatches. While this has been included in previous iOS beta releases, including the beta for iOS 26.5, it has yet to be included in any public release. We’ll see if Apple includes it this time with the iOS 26.5.
Finally, iOS 27 is also coming later this year, and we may learn more about it during WWDC 2026 in June.
