iOS 26.5 Could Bring End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging to Your iPhone Soon
Apple released the fourth public beta of iOS 26.5 on Tuesday, more than a month after the company released the massive version. iOS 26.4 update, which included new emojivideo podcasts and more. The iOS 26.5 beta brings a few smaller, but important, changes to the iPhone developers and beta testers, including end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging.
As this is a beta version, I recommend only downloading it on a device other than your primary device. This is not the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update may be buggy and battery life may be shortened, so these issues are best kept on a secondary device.
Additionally, since this isn’t the final version of iOS 26.5, Apple could add more features to the update before it hits your iPhone.
Here are some features developers and beta testers can try now, and what might come to your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5 in May.
End-to-end encrypted RCS email returns
The iOS 26.5 beta brings back an option to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on your device. When Apple brought RCS Messaging to iPhones with iOS 18A feature that the messaging protocol was missing was end-to-end encryption, and iOS 26.5 could finally bring this privacy protection to your iPhone.
To find this setting, go to Settings > Applications > Messages > RCS Messaging and tap the slider next to End-to-end encryption (beta).
Apple writes in the feature description that it is still in beta and only works on certain carriers and devices. Apple also writes that these encrypted messages will be labeled as such, so you should know when your messages do or do not have this level of protection.
Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta versions of iOS 26.4, but the tech giant did not include this feature in the final version.
Ads could soon be coming to Maps
If you open your Maps app after downloading the iOS 26.5 beta, you’ll see a new splash screen announcing the arrival of ads in the app.
“Maps can serve local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search,” Apple explains. “For your privacy, advertising information is not linked to your Apple account.”
Apple announced Apple Business in March, allowing businesses to connect with customers through some of Apple’s proprietary apps, such as Mail and Wallet. Apple Business also lets businesses show local ads in Maps. You might start seeing ads in Maps for the coffee shop near you.
New sections and suggested places in Maps
The iOS 26.5 beta also brings new Suggested Places sections and menu to your Maps app. Once in the app, tap your search bar as if you were going to search for a nearby cafe or restaurant. You will see the new sections below the search bar and Suggested places will appear below Recent.
Monthly payments on annual subscriptions
The iOS 26.5 update will introduce a new way to pay for subscriptions in the App Store. Apple wrote online that starting with the next iOS update, developers will be able to offer monthly payments for 12-month subscriptions.
“This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable options,” Apple wrote.
This means that if an app offers a discounted annual subscription, you can sign up for that annual plan at the lower rate but pay for it monthly. However, Apple has written that if you cancel your subscription before your subscription ends, you will need to continue making payments until your agreement ends.
Live Activities on Third-Party Accessories in the EU
According to 9to5Mac, the iOS 26.5 beta also allows third-party accessories to view live activity updates sent from iPhones. However, this feature is only available on devices in the European Union.
These are just some of the new features that developers and public beta testers can try right now with the fourth public beta of iOS 26.5. There will likely be more beta versions before the operating system is released to the public, giving Apple plenty of time to change these features and add more. Apple wrote in an online post that it would release iOS 26.5 to the general public in May, but the company did not give an exact date.
For more iOS news, here’s everything you need to know iOS 26.4 And iOS 26.3. You can also view our iOS 26 Cheat Sheet.
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