Apple released the first public beta of iOS 26.5 on Monday, about two weeks after the company released the massive iOS 26.4 update, which included new emoji, video podcasts and more. The iOS 26.5 beta brings a few smaller — but significant — changes to the iPhones of developers and beta testers, including one feature that will be familiar to anyone who has kept up with past iOS betas.
Because this is a beta, I recommend downloading it only on something other than your primary device. This isn’t the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update might be buggy and battery life may be short, so it’s best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.
Also, since this isn’t the final version, there could be more features to land on your iPhone whenever 26.5 is released.
Here are some features developers and beta testers can try now, and what could land on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5.
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging 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 18, one feature 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 > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and tap the slider next to End-to-End Encryption (Beta).
Apple writes in the feature’s description that it’s still in beta and it works only 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 and don’t have this level of protection.
Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta versions of iOS 26.4, but the tech giant didn’t include the feature in the final release.
Suggested Places in Maps
The iOS 26.5 beta also brings a new section called Suggested Places to your Maps app. Once in the app, tap your Search bar like you’re going to look up a nearby cafe or restaurant, and the section Suggested Places will appear below Recents.
Those are a few of the new features developers and public beta testers can try now with the first public beta of iOS 26.5. There will likely be more betas before the OS is released to the public, so there’s plenty of time for Apple to change these features and add others. Apple has not said when it will release iOS 26.5 to the general public.
For more iOS news, here’s everything you should know about iOS 26.4 and iOS 26.3. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet.
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