Apple releases iOS 26.5: here's what's new

Apple has released iOS 26.5, and the update is now available to download.

The long-awaited revamped Siri is still missing, but the release brings several notable additions across the system. Here's a rundown of the most significant changes.

New dynamic wallpapers

The update adds 11 new dynamic, multicolor wallpapers designed to match the Liquid Glass aesthetic. Users also get a built-in customizer that lets them choose which of the available colors are used in each wallpaper.

Precise times for snoozed reminders

Previously, when users snoozed a reminder, Apple offered vague options like "remind me later today" or "this evening," without specifying an exact time. The system now displays precise times instead — for example, "remind me at 3:00 PM," "tomorrow at 9:00 AM," or "remind me in 1 hour."

End-to-end encryption for RCS

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages was originally tested in iOS 26.4, then pulled, and is now back in iOS 26.5. The feature ensures that messages cannot be intercepted or read by a third party. For it to work, both the recipient's smartphone and the mobile carrier need to support the feature.

Suggested Places in Apple Maps

Apple Maps now integrates Suggested Places directly into venue search. According to Apple, recommendations are based on nearby popular spots and the user's own search history.

Groundwork for ads in Apple Maps

This summer, Apple Maps users in the U.S. and Canada will start seeing advertisements. Ads will appear at the top of search results and within the new Suggested Places section. They will be clearly labeled as ads, similar to how they appear in the App Store.

Annual subscriptions with monthly billing

App developers can now offer a new type of subscription: monthly payments with an annual commitment. Users will be able to see how many payments remain until the end of the term. It's not yet clear what happens if a user cancels before the term ends. The feature is set to launch worldwide, except in the U.S. and Singapore, for reasons Apple has not disclosed.