Overview
- Apple pushed iOS and iPadOS 26.5 to the public on Monday after weeks of betas, alongside updates for macOS, watchOS, tvOS, visionOS, and HomePod software.
- Messages now supports end‑to‑end encrypted RCS in beta for iPhone–Android chats, which is enabled by default and appears only when participating carriers turn it on.
- Apple Maps adds a Suggested Places section that recommends nearby spots based on trends and recent searches, with groundwork in place for local ads that are not live yet.
- Apple fixed more than 50 iOS security vulnerabilities in this release, a sweep of patches that reduces risks from bugs that could expose data or enable attacks.
- In the European Union, iOS 26.5 opens proximity pairing, notification forwarding, and Live Activities to third‑party wearables, a change that will require accessory makers to add support.