Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after Apple released the fourth betas.

The next iPhone update is almost here. Here are the details of when it’s going to arrive and the signs to look out for.

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is coming in iOS 26.5, Apple confirmed today. The feature is listed in Apple's iOS 26.5 release notes. Apple says end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging remains in beta even though it is being released in iOS 26.

The iOS 26.5 release date is likely next week! Here's what to expect when Apple introduces the next new iPhone software update.

Apple seeds iOS 26.5 RC with end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, new Pride Luminance wallpapers, and smart Maps updates.

Apple Maps is expected to get a new Suggested Places feature and ads in iOS 26.5, while users in the EU could receive interoperability features, including the ability to receive notifications from a third-party smartwatch.

Apple iOS 26.5 is the next update coming to the iPhone — unless there’s a surprise bug-fix release beforehand — and Apple has just confirmed when it’s coming. Here’s what’s on its way and when. Although it may not have been done accidentally,

Apple is set to release iOS 26.5 in May 2026. From the return of end-to-end encryption for RCS and new 'Suggested Places' in Maps.