iOS, macOS, and iPadOS 26.5 updates arrive with encrypted RCS messages and more.

Apple has released 26.5 of its operating systems today: iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, visionOS 26.5and version 26.5 for HomePod software (this one).

None of these are major updates, which is normal for this late in their life, but they do add a handful of new features besides the stack of patches detailed on Apple’s security page. This is the first release Apple supports end-to-end encryption of RCS messagesfor example, which, when enabled, can provide green messages with some of the security and privacy that iMessage users have come to enjoy.

RCS encryption is marked “beta” in this release, and Apple says it’s limited a subset of supported cellular carriers. Additional support “will be phased out over time.” Hidden chats will appear with a lock icon in the Messages app; if you don’t see the lock, the message is not encrypted, even if you are using RCS.

Other additions in the 26.5 release are new Pride-themed icons and some of the first important functions to support ads in the Apple Maps app. There are also a few updates about the platform and bug fixes, which you can find on Apple’s release pages (we’ve linked everything in the first paragraph). Apple has tried several changes to third-party support in the EU to comply with local laws, but this has not yet been included in public versions of iOS.