iOS 26.5 is coming soon. Here are the new features you should know.

Apple’s latest mobile operating system, iOS 26.5 has just been released to developers. Usually, this means that the latest public version of iOS is just around the corner.

So, what new features should iPhone users expect in iOS 26.5? Let’s take a look what’s new.

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Apple Maps: Ads and suggested locations

There are two new features in Apple Maps with the release of iOS 26.5 – that is, if you consider the introduction of ads on the platform as a new feature, as Apple does.

Apple is bringing ads to its proprietary Apple Maps app with the latest iOS. We first reported on this in March, and Apple is now actively seeking advertisers.

Ads will be clearly labeled, according to Apple. Businesses will be able to use paid advertising on Apple Maps in the same way that app developers can use ads on Apple’s App Store. Local ads will appear on Apple Maps based on the user’s location. Ads will appear in Apple Maps search results and suggested locations.

Speaking of Suggested Places, this is another new feature coming to Apple Maps with iOS 26.5. Although ads will appear in this section, it is not just an advertising space. Suggested places will provide users with recommendations based on the user’s recent searches, as well as what other nearby Apple Maps users are searching for.

Nailing around the edges of the RCS

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is basically a messaging protocol that allows iPhone and Android users to send messages to each other with high-quality media, read receipts, and typing references. Basically, it provides iPhone users with the standard Messenger experience when messaging Android users.

With iOS 26.5, Apple introduced a layer of security by enabling end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for those RCS messages.

E2EE will be enabled by default with iOS 26.5. However, iPhone users will be able to turn the feature on or off by going to their Settings app and changing the End-to-End Encryption option in the Messages section.

With RCS’s E2EE, messages sent between iPhone and Android users will be encrypted, meaning they cannot be read by third parties.

Some new features

While those are the big new features coming to iOS 26.5, there are other new additions on the way.

For example, if a user connects Apple devices such as the Magic Keyboard to an iPhone via USB-C, the device will automatically connect via Bluetooth and iOS 26.5.

Transferring from an iPhone to an Android device with iOS 26.5 provides a new option setting to choose which message attachments to include in the transfer. Users can select all, 1 year, or 30 days as options.

Apple Books is also new Awards and honors feature that rewards users based on their audiobook and reading habits.

Finally, Apple will also release a new iPhone wallpaper celebrating Pride with iOS 26.5. The Pride wallpaper will be the same as before announced Apple Watch Pride band and watch face.

iOS 26.5 may also bring a new feature for users in the EU. Under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, Apple must allow iPhone features such as notifications, Live Actions, and AirPods pairing to work with third-party headphones and smartwatches. Although this has been included in previous iOS beta releases, including the iOS 26.5 beta, it should not be included in any public release. We’ll see if Apple includes it this time with iOS 26.5.

Finally, iOS 27 is also coming later this year, and we may learn more about it during WWDC 2026 in June.