iOS 26.5 May Bring End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messages to Your iPhone Soon

Apple released the fourth public beta of iOS 26.5 on Tuesday, more than a month after the company released the big one. iOS 26.4 update, which included new emojivideo podcasts and more. iOS 26.5 beta brings several small — but impactful — changes iPhones for developers and beta testers, including end-to-end encrypted RCS messages.

Because this is a beta, I recommend that you only download it on something other than your primary device. This is not the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update may be buggy and the battery life may be short, so it is best to save those problems on the second device.

Also, since this is not the final version of iOS 26.5, Apple can add more features to the update before it reaches your iPhone.

Here are some features that developers and beta testers can try now, and what might stay on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5 in May.

Returns encrypted RCS messages to end-to-end

iOS 26.5 beta brings back the option to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on your device. When Apple delivers RCS messages on iPhones with iOS 18one feature the messaging protocol lacked was end-to-end encryption, and iOS 26.5 can finally bring this privacy protection to your iPhone.

To find this setting, go to Settings > Apps > Messaging > RCS Messaging and press the slider close Edge encryption (Beta).

Apple writes in the feature description that it is still in beta, and only works on certain carriers and devices. Apple also writes that these encrypted messages will be written as such, so you should know when your messages do not have this level of protection.

Apple included end-to-end encrypted RCS messages in beta versions of iOS 26.4, but the tech giant did not include the feature in the final release.

Ads may come to Maps soon

When you open your Maps app after downloading the iOS 26.5 beta, you’ll see a new screen announcing the arrival of ads in the app.

“Maps may show local ads based on your location, current search terms, or map view while searching,” Apple said. “For your privacy, advertising information is not linked to your Apple Account.”

Apple announced Apple Business in March, allowing companies to communicate with customers through some of Apple’s first-party applications, such as Mail and Wallet. Apple Business also allows companies to place local ads on Maps. So you can start seeing ads on Maps for the coffee shop down the street from your home.

New categories and suggested locations on maps

iOS 26.5 beta also brings new categories and a new Suggested Places menu to your Maps app. Once you’re in the app, tap your search bar as if you were going to look for a nearby cafe or restaurant. You will see new categories under the search bar as well Suggested locations will appear below The latest.

Monthly payments on annual subscriptions

The iOS 26.5 update will introduce a new way to pay for App Store subscriptions. Apple posted online that starting with an upcoming iOS update, developers can offer monthly payments for 12-month subscriptions.

“This new payment option allows you to offer subscribers more affordable options,” Apple wrote.

This means that if an app offers a discounted annual subscription, you can sign up for that annual plan at a lower price but pay for it month by month. However, Apple wrote that if you cancel your subscription before the end of your subscription, you will have to continue paying until the end of your contract.

Live services of third party services in the EU

According to 9to5Mac, iOS 26.5 beta also allows third-party accessories to display Live Activity updates sent to iPhones. However, this is only available for devices in the European Union.

Those are just a few of the new features developers and public beta testers can try now with the fourth public beta of iOS 26.5. There are likely to be many betas before the OS is released to the public, so there is plenty of time for Apple to tweak these features and add more. Apple wrote in an online post that it will release iOS 26.5 to the general public in May, but the company did not provide an exact date.

For more iOS news, here’s everything you need to know iOS 26.4 again iOS 26.3. You can also check our iOS 26 cheat sheet.