Apple released iOS 26.5 on May 11, 2026, introducing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta for iPhone users. This cross-industry effort with Google aims to secure Rich Communication Services chats between iOS and Android devices, using a new lock icon to signal that messages cannot be read during transmission.
The deployment of iOS 26.5 marks a significant shift in how Apple handles cross-platform communication. While Rich Communication Services (RCS) was previously integrated into the iOS ecosystem with the release of iOS 18, that version lacked the specific privacy protections of end-to-end encryption for messages sent to non-Apple devices. The current beta rollout addresses this gap through a partnership between Apple and Google.
Securing Cross-Platform Messaging with E2EE
The primary function of the iOS 26.5 update is the introduction of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messaging. This protocol serves as a replacement for traditional SMS, allowing for more sophisticated messaging between iPhones and Android devices. When this encryption is active, the content of the messages remains unreadable to third parties while in transit between devices.
Users can identify secure conversations through a visual indicator. Apple has implemented a new lock icon within RCS chats to notify participants that the conversation is protected. According to Apple, encryption is enabled by default and will be applied automatically to both new and existing RCS conversations over time.
When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.
Apple Newsroom
The feature is currently in a beta stage. Its availability is not universal, as it depends on the user running iOS 26.5 and utilizing supported mobile carriers. Android users can access similar encrypted RCS capabilities by using the latest version of Google Messages.
Configuration and Carrier Requirements
To manage these privacy settings, users must navigate through specific menus within the device software. The path to access these controls is Settings, then Apps, then Messages, and finally RCS Messaging. Within this menu, users will find the option for End-to-End Encryption (Beta). While the feature is active by default, the toggle allows users to manage the setting manually.
Updating to the latest software version is required to access these features. Users can initiate the download by going to Settings, selecting General, tapping Software Update, and then selecting Update Now. The iOS 26.5 update also includes more than 50 bug fixes, intended to improve overall system stability following the release of iOS 26.4.
Advertising Integration in Apple Maps
Beyond messaging security, iOS 26.5 introduces changes to the Apple Maps application. Users downloading the update will encounter a new splash screen upon opening the app, which announces the introduction of advertisements within the platform. This move follows the announcement of Apple Business in March, a program designed to help companies connect with customers through first-party applications like Mail and Wallet.
The advertising model in Maps is localized. Apple stated that the service will display ads based on factors such as a user’s approximate location, current search terms, or the specific view of the map during a search. To address privacy concerns regarding this new revenue stream, Apple has specified that advertising information is not linked to an individual’s Apple Account.
Maps may show local ads based on your approximate location, current search terms, or view of the map while you search.
Apple
Evolution of the iOS Ecosystem
The release of iOS 26.5 follows a period of rapid iteration for Apple’s operating system. The previous major update, iOS 26.4, was released approximately two months prior to the current version and introduced features such as new emojis and video podcasts. While iOS 26.5 is described as a smaller update in terms of total features, its focus on encryption and the integration of the Apple Business advertising model represents a strategic shift in both user privacy and service monetization.
The move to secure RCS messaging addresses a long-standing friction point in the interaction between Apple and Android users. By collaborating with Google to implement E2EE, Apple is attempting to standardize security levels across different mobile ecosystems, moving away from the inherent vulnerabilities of the aging SMS standard.