Apple releases iOS 26.5, introducing end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging in beta for supported carriers and on by default, new Apple Maps features, and more

iOS 26.5 is now available to everyone after six weeks of beta testing. The update adds fresh wallpapers, new features to Apple Maps, and more.

9to5Mac 2026-05-12 Chance Miller

Context & Ripple Effects

Apple’s path to encrypted RCS has moved from a 2023 decision to adopt RCS while preserving iMessage’s separate visual identity, through the GSMA’s 2025 interoperable end-to-end-encryption standard. Apple then surfaced limited encrypted-RCS support in the iOS 26.4 developer beta.

iOS 26.5 takes that work to the public release and makes it the default for supported carriers, though the feature remains in beta. That turns a standards commitment into a live deployment issue for Apple and participating carrier networks.

First-order effects

iPhone users on supported carriers receive encrypted RCS by default in iOS 26.5 beta, rather than needing to find and enable the setting themselves.
Apple moves encrypted RCS from limited developer testing into its mainstream OS release cycle; carrier support becomes the immediate constraint on availability.

Second-order effects

Carriers that support RCS will face stronger pressure to complete compatibility work, since the iPhone implementation is publicly available and enabled by default where supported.
Cross-platform messaging quality and privacy can become less dependent on whether a conversation stays inside Apple’s proprietary iMessage service, while Apple still retains iMessage’s distinct positioning.

Third-order effects

If carrier rollout broadens and the GSMA standard is implemented consistently, interoperable encryption could become a baseline expectation for RCS rather than a differentiator reserved for individual messaging platforms.
The remaining competitive boundary would shift toward reliability, feature depth, and ecosystem integration; uneven carrier support could still preserve a fragmented messaging experience.

The trend: This is part of the gradual standardization of cross-platform messaging around interoperable RCS, with encryption moving from a standards goal to default consumer deployment.

Discussion

@ssamat Sameer Samat on x
Big news: Today, we're starting to roll out end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between Android and iPhone users! This cross-industry effort replaces outdated SMS with a more secure & private way to chat, no matter what phone you have.🔒 Thank you to the community for [image]
@autismcapital @autismcapital on x
Interesting how Instagram removed end-to-end encryption for DMs as soon as Apple added it for texts.
@joannastern Joanna Stern on x
YESSSS
@rosterloh Rick Osterloh on x
Starting today, end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out for Android and iPhone users. 🔒 A huge thank you to the teams that have been working for years to bring you a more secure, private way to communicate - regardless of your device. Terrific milestone!
@sundarpichai Sundar Pichai on x
Today, we're starting to roll out end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between Android and iPhone users!
@underwood.digital Dan Underwood on bluesky
Incredibly proud to have been part of this effort and collaboration to enable end-to-end encrypted messaging over RCS for users across the world in iOS 26.5. — iMessage continues to offer the best security available to the most users at scale. — www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/ 0…
r/technology r on reddit
Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates
r/apple r on reddit
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out today in beta
r/UniversalProfile r on reddit
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out today for Android and iPhone users
r/UniversalProfile r on reddit
Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates
r/Android r on reddit
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out today for Android and iPhone users
r/apple r on reddit
iOS and iPadOS 26.5 released
r/ios r on reddit
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging, rolling out now
r/apple r on reddit
Apple releases iOS 26.5 with 3 key features including new wallpapers for your iPhone
r/GoogleMessages r on reddit
E2EE RCS Messaging Rolls Out for Android and iPhone Users
r/privacy r on reddit
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out today in beta

Chronicles