New Update Apple Releases 26.5 Updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS

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Apple has just released the 26.5 updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, and the main new feature is end-to-end encryption support for RCS messages. This is something that has been available for years on Android devices via the Google Messages app, and iMessage on iPhones also supports end-to-end encryption. But now, RCS messages between Android and iPhone users can be encrypted as well.

End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging is available in beta on iOS 26.5, and only with supported carriers. In the US, AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile already support the feature, and you can find the full list of supported carriers around the world on this page.

“Google and Apple have led a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS), making the cross-platform messaging format that replaces traditional SMS more secure and private,” Google said today. “Google Messages users will know a cross-platform conversation is end-to-end encrypted when they see the same lock icon previously used in RCS chats.”

iOS 26.5 also introduces the following new features :

Suggested places in Apple Maps: When searching for a place in Apple Maps, the app will now recommend nearby locations based on recent searches and more.

Bluetooth accessory pairing: When plugging in wireless accessories such as Apple’s Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse, and Magic Trackpad, they will automatically remain connected via Bluetooth.

Live Activities support for third-party accessories: This new feature, which will only be available in the EU, will allow third-party accessories to receive and display notifications and Live Activities from an iPhone.

New App Store purchase option: iPhone users outside the US will get the option to pay monthly for annual subscriptions with a 12-month commitment.

A new Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors is also available on iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5. Apple Watch users are also getting a new Pride Luminance watchface with unique customization options. The update also fixes an issue causing messages to use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual-SIM iPhone.
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www.thurrott.com

Apple Releases 26.5 Updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS

The 26.5 updates are out for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, and the main new feature is end-to-end encryption support for RCS messages
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Gandalf_The_Grey said:
www.thurrott.com

Apple Releases 26.5 Updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS

The 26.5 updates are out for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, and the main new feature is end-to-end encryption support for RCS messages
www.thurrott.com www.thurrott.com
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The most important part of this update is the RCS change.

If the carrier supports it, end-to-end encryption for RCS between iPhone and Android is a meaningful privacy improvement over standard SMS and non-encrypted messaging. That said, availability depends on both software support and carrier rollout, so it may not appear for everyone immediately.

What this improves
  • Better privacy for cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users
  • Less reliance on plain SMS for conversations that can use RCS
  • A more modern fallback path than traditional text messaging

Important limitation

End-to-end encryption for RCS is only useful when the conversation is actually using encrypted RCS. It does not make SMS secure, and it does not automatically protect all messages in every situation. Carrier support and client compatibility still matter.

Security perspective

From a security and privacy standpoint, this is a positive step, but it should not be overstated:
  • Encrypted RCS is better than SMS for confidentiality
  • It still does not replace dedicated privacy-focused messaging apps for users who want the strongest and most consistent protections
  • Users should still keep devices updated, enable strong device authentication, and review message settings

About the rest of the update

The other additions look more like quality-of-life features than major security changes:
  • Apple Maps suggested places
  • Improved Bluetooth behavior for certain accessories
  • Live Activities support for third-party accessories in the EU
  • A new App Store payment option in some regions
  • Wallpaper and watch face additions
  • A messaging bug fix for dual-SIM devices

Bottom line

The RCS encryption support is the standout improvement here because it strengthens privacy in iPhone-to-Android messaging where supported. The rest of the release appears to be a mix of convenience features and smaller fixes, so for most people this is mainly a privacy and maintenance update rather than a major platform change.

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Bot said:
The most important part of this update is the RCS change.

If the carrier supports it, end-to-end encryption for RCS between iPhone and Android is a meaningful privacy improvement over standard SMS and non-encrypted messaging.
  • It still does not replace dedicated privacy-focused messaging apps for users who want the strongest and most consistent protections
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@Bot I am aware of some dedicated privacy-focused messenging apps, it might be help for you to list all the ones you know of for both Android & iOS and rank them &/or list their pros / cons
 
simmerskool said:
@Bot I am aware of some dedicated privacy-focused messenging apps, it might be help for you to list all the ones you know of for both Android & iOS and rank them &/or list their pros / cons
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For Android and iOS, there is no single “best for everyone,” but a few apps are consistently discussed in privacy-focused recommendations.

I cannot safely rank “all” privacy-focused messaging apps because that would require exhaustive, constantly changing verification across features, ownership, default settings, metadata handling, encryption design, and jurisdiction. A shorter list of widely known options is more reliable.

Commonly recommended options

  • Signal
    • Pros: widely regarded as one of the strongest mainstream choices for private messaging, end-to-end encryption by default, open documentation, supports disappearing messages, voice/video calls, and sealed sender protections
    • Cons: requires a phone number for registration, not ideal if both contacts refuse to use Signal, some users prefer larger ecosystems or more built-in features
  • WhatsApp
    • Pros: very large user base, end-to-end encryption for personal chats by default, easy cross-platform adoption, strong call/message usability
    • Cons: metadata and account ecosystem concerns are commonly raised, owned by Meta, privacy expectations vary depending on backups and account settings
  • Threema
    • Pros: privacy-focused design, does not require a phone number by default for basic use, end-to-end encryption, available on Android and iOS
    • Cons: paid app, much smaller user base than Signal or WhatsApp, fewer contacts are likely to already use it
  • Session
    • Pros: designed around reduced reliance on phone numbers, often mentioned by users who want stronger anonymity properties
    • Cons: smaller ecosystem, performance and reliability perceptions can vary, not as mainstream or universally audited in public discussion as Signal
  • SimpleX Chat
    • Pros: designed to minimize persistent identifiers, strong privacy-oriented architecture, increasingly discussed in privacy communities
    • Cons: still less mainstream, smaller network, may be less convenient for non-technical users
  • Wire
    • Pros: supports secure messaging and collaboration, available across platforms, used in some business contexts
    • Cons: lower public mindshare today than Signal or WhatsApp, less common for everyday personal messaging
  • Element / Matrix
    • Pros: decentralized ecosystem, strong flexibility, useful for users who value federation and self-hosting
    • Cons: privacy and encryption details can depend on room type, client setup, and server choices, more complexity than typical consumer messengers
  • Telegram
    • Pros: very popular, feature-rich, strong multi-device experience
    • Cons: not end-to-end encrypted by default for normal chats, so it is usually not placed alongside Signal as a top privacy recommendation for private conversations

A practical general ranking

If the goal is private personal messaging, a cautious general ordering would be:

  • Signal — best mainstream privacy/security balance for most people
  • Threema — strong privacy option, but smaller and paid
  • SimpleX Chat / Session — interesting privacy-focused alternatives, but less mainstream and sometimes less convenient
  • WhatsApp — strong encryption for content, but more concerns around metadata/ecosystem
  • Element / Matrix — powerful, but better for users comfortable with more complexity
  • Telegram — good app in general, but not a top privacy recommendation for normal chats because default chats are not end-to-end encrypted

Important caveats

A “private” app can still become much less private if:
  • Cloud backups are enabled without end-to-end encryption
  • The device itself is compromised by malware or spyware
  • Screen lock and account security are weak
  • Contacts are using insecure settings or exporting chat content

Best short recommendation

For most users on Android and iOS:
  • Choose Signal if privacy is the priority
  • Choose WhatsApp if you need reach and your contacts will not move
  • Choose Threema, SimpleX, or Session if you specifically want alternatives with different privacy tradeoffs
  • Do not assume Telegram is private by default for all chats

Bottom line

If this is about strongest mainstream privacy on both Android and iOS, Signal is usually the safest general recommendation. WhatsApp is convenient but comes with broader privacy concerns, and Telegram should not be treated as fully private unless the specific chat mode supports end-to-end encryption.

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