Apple has released iOS 26.5, which brings support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) to Rich Communication Services (RCS) in beta, Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colours, and Suggested Places in Maps displays.
Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what’s trending nearby and your recent searches.
Apple and Google have led a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to RCS, making the cross-platform messaging format that replaces traditional SMS more secure and private.
Starting today, end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers worldwide and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages.
RCS Supported Carriers in the UK
- 3
- BT
- EE
- Giffgaff
- ID MobileO2
- Sky
- Talk Mobile
- Tesco Mobile
- Virgin Mobile UK
- Vodafone
When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices. Users will know that a conversation is end-to-end encrypted when they see a new lock icon in their RCS chats.
Encryption is on by default and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations.
Google says that Google Messages for Android users will see a padlock icon to indicate that the cross-platform conversation is end-to-end encrypted.
Magic Pairing
Users with the Apple Magic keyboard, mouse or trackpad can connect them to an iPhone more easily with the new update.
They just need to connect the device to the iPhone using a USB-C cable once, and the device should then pair with the phone automatically.
After the first pairing, users can unplug the cable and use the keyboard, mouse or trackpad through Bluetooth without the fiddly setup.
Subscriptions on App Store
iOS 26.5 offers app developers a new way to sell subscriptions to users at a slightly lower price.
As an example, a subscription to an app might cost £12.99 a month and be offered at a discounted rate of £100 for the year.
But with the new feature, users could pay £100 spread over 12 months. However, the user has to commit to paying over the twelve month period.
iPhone to Android Transfer
When switching from an iPhone to an Android device, there is a new setting for selecting which message attachments to transfer over. There are options for All, 1 year, or 30 days.
Pride Luminance Wallpaper
While Apple has released Pride features before, this is the first time it has launched a moving wallpaper inspired by the LGBTQ+ flag colours.
Called ‘Pride Luminance,’ users can customise the animated wallpaper with 12 different colours. The theme is available on Apple Watch watchOS 26.5, too.
Keyboard Layout
iOS 26.5 has an Inuktitut keyboard layout option.
Changes for iPhone Users in Europe
With iOS 26.5, Apple is opening up several previously exclusive iPhone features to third-party wearables to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The changes mainly affect earbuds, headphones, smartwatches, and other connected accessories.
The biggest addition is Proximity Pairing. Compatible third-party earbuds can now trigger an AirPods-style pairing process on iPhone, making setup far quicker than the usual Bluetooth menu dross. Bring supported earbuds near your iPhone, tap connect, and you’re ready to go.
Third-party smartwatches are also getting expanded notification support. Until now, most non-Apple wearables could only display basic read-only alerts from an iPhone. Under iOS 26.5, compatible accessories can now receive and interact with forwarded iPhone notifications more fully.
However, Notifications can only be forwarded to a single wearable at a time. So if you enable the feature on a third-party smartwatch, those same notifications won’t also appear on an Apple Watch simultaneously.
Compatible third-party wearables can now display information from iPhone Live Activities – such as sports scores, timers, ride tracking, or food deliveries – in a similar way to the Apple Watch.
These features are limited to iPhone users in Europe with an Apple Account set to an EU country or region.
iOS 26.5 Security Updates
iOS 26.5 comes with fixes for over 50 vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS, including various flaws in AppleJPEG, ImageIO, Kernel, mDNSResponder, and WebKit that could be exploited to leak sensitive information, a denial-of-service (DoS), or result in unexpected system termination.
Accelerate
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause a denial-of-service
Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking.
Accounts
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to bypass certain Privacy preferences
Description: A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.
APFS
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination
Description: A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking.
App Intents
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A malicious app may be able to break out of its sandbox
Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved restrictions.
AppleJPEG
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may lead to a denial-of-service
Description: This is a vulnerability in open source code and Apple Software is among the affected projects. The CVE-ID was assigned by a third party.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted media file may lead to unexpected app termination or corrupt process memory
Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation.
Audio
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing an audio stream in a maliciously crafted media file may terminate the process
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
CoreAnimation
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to access sensitive user data
Description: An inconsistent user interface issue was addressed with improved state management.
CoreServices
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination
Description: The issue was addressed with improved checks.
CoreSymbolication
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to an unexpected app termination
Description: An out-of-bounds access issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.
FileProvider
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to access sensitive user data
Description: A race condition was addressed with additional validation.
ImageIO
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory
Description: A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination
Description: The issue was addressed with improved bounds checks.
ImageIO
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
IOHIDFamily
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination
Description: A memory corruption vulnerability was addressed with improved locking.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to determine kernel memory layout
Description: A logging issue was addressed with improved data redaction.
IOKit
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination
Description: A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
IOSurfaceAccelerator
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or read kernel memory
Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking.
Kernel
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to disclose kernel memory
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A local user may be able to cause unexpected system termination or read kernel memory
Description: A buffer overflow was addressed with improved input validation.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to gain root privileges
Description: An authorisation issue was addressed with improved state management.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination or write kernel memory
Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause unexpected system termination
Description: A race condition was addressed with additional validation.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to leak sensitive kernel state
Description: A logging issue was addressed with improved data redaction.
LaunchServices
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A remote attacker may be able to cause a denial of service
Description: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved checks.
mDNSResponder
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An attacker on the local network may be able to cause a denial-of-service
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An attacker on the local network may be able to cause a denial-of-service
Description: A null pointer dereference was addressed with improved input validation.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected system termination or corrupt kernel memory
Description: A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An attacker on the local network may be able to cause a denial-of-service
Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.
Model I/O
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted image may corrupt process memory
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Networking
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An attacker may be able to track users through their IP address
Description: This issue was addressed through improved state management.
Quick Look
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Parsing a maliciously crafted file may lead to an unexpected app termination
Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation.
SceneKit
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A remote attacker may be able to cause unexpected app termination
Description: A buffer overflow was addressed with improved bounds checking.
Screenshots
Available for: iPhone 15 and later
Impact: An attacker with physical access may be able to use Visual Intelligence to access sensitive user data during iPhone Mirroring
Description: A privacy issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.
Shortcuts
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to access user-sensitive data
Description: This issue was addressed by adding an additional prompt for user consent.
Spotlight
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to cause a denial-of-service
Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks to prevent unauthorised actions.
Status Bar
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to capture a user’s screen
Description: An issue with app access to camera metadata was addressed with improved logic.
Storage
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to access sensitive user data
Description: A race condition was addressed with additional validation.
WebKit
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may prevent Content Security Policy from being enforced
Description: A validation issue was addressed with improved logic.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may prevent Content Security Policy from being enforced
Description: The issue was addressed with improved input validation.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may disclose sensitive user information
Description: This issue was addressed with improved access restrictions.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash
Description: A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An app may be able to access sensitive user data
Description: This issue was addressed with improved data protection.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash
Description: The issue was addressed with improved input validation.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected Safari crash
Description: A use-after-free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A malicious iframe may use another website’s download settings
Description: The issue was addressed with improved UI handling.
WebRTC
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash
Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
Wi-Fi
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: An attacker in a privileged network position may be able to perform denial-of-service attack using crafted Wi-Fi packets
Description: A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
WidgetKit
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: A user may be able to view restricted content from the lock screen
Description: A privacy issue was addressed with improved checks.
zlib
Available for: iPhone 11 and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 8th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
Impact: Visiting a maliciously crafted website may leak sensitive data
Description: An information leakage was addressed with additional validation.
iOS 26.5 Supported Devices
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 17 Pro
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- iPhone Air
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
To update to iOS 26.5 go to your iPhone Settings > General > Software Update and install 26.5 as soon as you possibly can.
