Apple has released iOS 26.5 release candidate to beta testers, and it is now available for download. With today’s iOS 26.5 RC release, the final public release of iOS 26.5 is just around the corner and should reach us in the coming days.
iOS 26.5 is a major update and one of the last updates before we see the announcement of iOS 27 at WWDC26.
Along with iOS 26.5, Apple has also seeded release candidates for iPadOS 26.5, macOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5.
With iOS 26.5, Apple has added new features like Suggested Places and ads for Apple Maps, RCS encryption for the Messages app, new App Store purchase options that will allow users to buy an app’s subscription with a 12-month commitment, and pay monthly rather than paying for 12 months with a lump sum.
iOS 26.5 will also bring the Magic Pairing feature, which will enable users to pair their Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse, and Magic Keyboard with their iPhone ot iPad via USB-C and Bluetooth. A great thing about the new Magic Pairing feature is that your devices will stay connected to your iOS device via Bluetooth even when you unplug the USB-C connection.
In the EU, Apple is testing Live Activities support for third-party accessories. This means accessories will be able to receive and display Live Activities information from an iPhone.
Other features coming in iOS 26.5 include new Inuktitut keyboard input, new features for Apple Books, and a new data transfer duration option when transferring data from iPhone to Android.
