iOS 26.5 Features: Everything New in iOS 26.5

Apple released i OS 26.5 after a few months of beta testing, and while it doesn't have the Siri features we were hoping for since those are being held until i OS 27, there are a handful of useful changes worth knowing about. End-to-End Encryption for RCS Support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between i Phone and Android devices is included in i OS 26.5, which means texts you send your Android friends can now have the same security as i Messages exchanged with another i Phone user. Encrypted ‌RCS‌ messages are available on supported carriers and will roll out over time, and for conversations to be encrypted, both the receiver and the sender must use a carrier that supports the latest version of ‌RCS‌. End-to-end encryption is on by default, and there is a toggle for it in the Messages section of the Settings app. Encrypted messages are denoted with a small lock symbol. Wallpaper iOS 26.5 includes a colorful new Pride Luminance wallpaper that can be customized with multiple color options. Maps App The Maps app includes a new Suggested Places feature that recommends places to visit based on your recent searches and what's trending nearby. iOS 26.5 also laid the groundwork for ads in the Maps app, but ads are not live yet. EU Changes for Third-Party Wearables To comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple is letting third-party wearables access some features that have historically been limited to the Apple Watch and AirPods. Here's what's new: Proximity pairing - Third-party earbuds are able to use proximity pairing to connect to an iPhone, similar to the AirPods. Bringing a set of earbuds that support the feature near an iPhone will initiate an AirPods-like one-tap pairing process, so third-party wearables like earbuds will no longer require multiple steps to pair. iPhone notifications - Third-party accessories like smartwatches are able to receive notifications from the iPhone, and users are able to view and react to them. Interact