We are faced with an update that, while not massive in terms of major features, introduces Significant changes in privacy, connectivity, and personalizationiOS 26.5 RC strengthens messaging between iPhone and Android, introduces a new approach to Pride wallpapers, and adjusts the system to regulatory requirements, especially in Europe, as Apple continues preparing for the leap to iOS 27.
What is iOS 26.5 RC and when will the final version arrive?
With iOS 26.5 RC, Apple closes the beta cycle and enters the phase in which the version is considered ready for its launch to the general publicThis Release Candidate arrives just one week after the last beta preview, following the company's usual development pace.
In practice, RC means that Apple believes the system is stable and polished enough that it no longer needs major changes. Except for findings of critical failuresThe build that developers and those participating in the beta program currently have will be the same one that will be installed on millions of iPhones in a matter of days.
Everything points to the final version of iOS 26.5 being released next week for all usersThis applies both in Spain and the rest of Europe. Anyone who installs the RC today will, in practice, get ahead of the official rollout and will be using the same version that will later be available on the stable channel.
This update comes after iOS 26.4.1 and 26.4.2, which focused primarily on urgent bug fixes and security improvementsiOS 26.5 RC, on the other hand, combines that maintenance work with a set of small new features spread across Maps, Messages, wallpapers, and connectivity.
Apple has also released the RCs of iPadOS 26.5macOS 26.5 and watchOS 26.5, so that the The entire ecosystem is updated in a coordinated mannerThis is yet another indication that the company wants to ensure all its systems are stable before the WWDC kicks off.
New Pride wallpapers and customization options
One of the most visible changes in iOS 26.5 RC is in the lock screen: Apple releases a new Pride 2026 wallpaper which comes with a Sport Loop Pride Edition strap and the Pride Luminance watch face for the Apple Watch.
This Pride wallpaper adopts a "Liquid Glass" style, with a play of colors and reflections that It moves away from the flat backgrounds of previous years.The effect conveys a sense of depth and visually blends in with the rest of the system interface, especially on the lock screen and in Always-On mode.
The company doesn't stop at just one design: the package includes multiple color variations These features allow users to customize the iPhone's appearance to their liking. According to Apple, the goal is to offer a more cheerful and dynamic aesthetic to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month.
In addition to those predefined designs, iOS 26.5 incorporates a custom fund builder which allows you to manually choose the colors that will make up the wallpaper. You can choose from a single shade to a dozen different ones, and the system takes care of mixing them using a liquid crystal effect.
When the iPhone enters always-on mode, the background reduces its intensity and switches to a more discreet version, which It regains all its shine and vibrancy as soon as the user activates the screen. It's an aesthetic touch, yes, but it helps make the update noticeable as soon as the device is turned on.
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging
Beyond the visuals, one of the biggest new features in iOS 26.5 RC is in Messages. The update officially introduces the RCS messaging with end-to-end encryption between iPhones and Android devices, at least in the carriers that are gradually activating it.
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the standard that aims to Replace traditional SMS with modern featuresHigh-quality photos and videos, typing indicators, improved group chats, and more comprehensive read receipts are among the new features. With iOS 26.5 RC, these messages are now protected with end-to-end encryption in beta.
Apple indicates that this feature It will be rolled out gradually and will depend on the compatibility of each operator. In Spain and the rest of Europe, its actual availability may vary depending on the mobile network, although the technical basis is already present in the RC.
For the user, the change will translate into richer conversations with contacts who use Android, without having to resort to third-party applications. Safety is the other pillarEnd-to-end encrypted messages can only be read by the sender and receiver, reducing risks in case of interception.
This RCS integration is part of a broader move by Apple to adapt to regulatory pressures and market demandswhile maintaining a focus on privacy as the central argument of its platform.
Changes to Apple Maps: suggested places and ads
iOS 26.5 RC also introduces improvements to Apple Maps. One of the most noticeable is the new section for “suggested places”, designed to recommend nearby points of interest based on current trends and recent user searches.
This way, opening the application will be easier. discover locals, restaurants or spaces that fit each person's habits without needing to type anything. This feature uses popularity data and Maps usage history to streamline daily life.
Alongside this, Apple is beginning to prepare the ground for the Arrival of ads on Apple MapsThe RC includes a splash screen that previews the introduction of advertising in the app, initially planned for markets such as the United States and Canada.
For European users, these Maps monetization features They are not yet fully activatedHowever, the iOS 26.5 RC code already contains much of the foundation. It remains to be seen how advertising will be integrated with European Union data protection regulations.
In any case, the combination of smart recommendations and a more visible advertising model reinforces Apple Maps as platform with its own commercial ambitionsbeyond its role as a simple navigation tool.
Key developments for the European Union and Spain
One of the most sensitive blocks in iOS 26.5 RC is the one that affects the iPhone's relationship with third-party accessories in the European UnionThe update represents a further step in opening up the ecosystem, driven in part by new European digital regulations.
In this RC, the proximity pairing for headphones, watches, and other wearables that aren't from Apple itself. The idea is that, little by little, a smartwatch or headphones from another brand can offer an experience more similar to that of AirPods or the Apple Watch.
Among the changes, features such as the ability to Receive and respond to notifications from these accessoriesas well as compatibility with Live Activities to follow real-time information, such as sports results or the status of a trip, directly from the wrist.
Additionally, iOS 26.5 RC adjusts certain internal system behaviors to adapt to European regulations on interoperability and competitionAlthough many of these changes are not visible in day-to-day use, they lay the foundation for an iPhone that is somewhat less closed off with regards to third-party hardware.
For users in Spain and the rest of the EU, this translates to more alternatives when choosing accessorieswithout completely giving up advanced features that were previously reserved almost exclusively for Apple hardware.
Regulation and downloading of apps outside the App Store
Although some of the changes related to app distribution will be rolled out gradually, the iOS 26.5 RC code already reflects relevant adjustments for countries that have pressured Apple on competition issues, such as Brazil, Japan or the European Union itself.
In the Brazilian case, for example, the RC incorporates system support for the Downloading apps outside the App Store, in line with the agreement reached with the Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE), the country's competition authority.
That agreement ended a long antitrust dispute that began in 2022, in which the restrictions on alternative app distribution and mandatory use of Apple's payment systemThe company committed to allowing third-party payment options and alternative distribution channels.
Although technical support is already present in the iOS 26.5 RC code, Apple still needs to activate these functions at the server level so that they are effective in everyday use. Currently, in Brazil it is still not possible to install software outside of the official store, but everything indicates that the change could come sooner rather than later.
In Europe, where digital regulation is also tightening, these modifications fit with the a path towards greater openness and more options for developers and users, always with Apple's recurring message about the privacy and security risks that these changes may entail.
Stability, performance, and other minor improvements
iOS 26.5 RC is not limited to the visible features. As with virtually all interim versions, Apple includes a good number of bug fixes, security patches, and internal tweaks that are not featured on the update's cover, but are just as important.
Among these less noticeable changes are improvements in the overall system performance and stability of certain system apps, along with minor tweaks to Siri and in areas such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.
Apple engineers are using this RC to fine-tune details they've detected during previous beta cycles, so that the daily experience should be more consistent and with fewer isolated failuresAlthough the user may not see a new feature, they may notice smoother behavior.
All of this is happening while the company keeps its eye on iOS 27, the next major version of the operating system. iOS 26.5 is thus acting as a transitional update that leaves the ground well prepared for the more ambitious new features that will arrive in the coming months.
Looking at the short term, the iOS 26.5 RC stands out as a key stop on Apple's calendar: It closes a cycle of corrections, introducing discreet but important improvements (such as encrypted RCS and connectivity options in the EU) and adds a touch of personalization with Pride funds, all while opening the door to significant regulatory changes without excessively disrupting the daily life of the average user.
