iOS 26.5 adds encrypted RCS: what’s new, what’s patched, and what older devices get

Encrypted RCS is the feature that matters most

RCS on iPhone already improved cross-platform texting compared with SMS/MMS by adding features such as high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts after Apple brought RCS support to iOS.^[2] iOS 26.5 adds the missing privacy layer for compatible conversations: end-to-end encrypted RCS.

That means supported RCS messages between iPhone and Android are designed so they cannot be read by others while being sent between phones, according to reporting on the GSMA RCS Universal Profile implementation.^[3] The most visible use case is iPhone conversations with Google Messages users on Android.^[3]

The caveat is important: this is not instantly universal. Apple’s wording describes encrypted RCS as a beta feature, available with supported carriers, and says it will roll out over time.^[5] MacRumors reports that for a conversation to be encrypted, both the sender and receiver must use a carrier that supports the latest version of RCS.^[10]

Engadget reports the setting is on by default, with users able to check it in Settings under the RCS Messaging area.^[7] During testing, encrypted cross-platform RCS chats showed a lock indicator in both Apple Messages and Google Messages.^[11]

Security updates: what Apple has confirmed

Apple published a security-content document for iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, and that page lists the release date as May 11, 2026.^[17] Apple also says it does not disclose, discuss, or confirm security issues until investigation has occurred and patches or releases are available, and that its security documents reference vulnerabilities by CVE ID when possible.^[17]

In practical terms, iOS 26.5 should be treated as both a feature update and a security update. Published release notes describe the update as including bug fixes and security updates for iPhone, while Apple’s own security guidance says keeping software up to date is the single most important thing users can do to maintain the security of Apple products.^[5][19]

If the update appears on your device, it can be installed over the air from Settings > General > Software Update, according to release reporting.^[9]

What older Apple devices get

The key distinction is whether a device can run iOS 26 or iPadOS 26. iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 are available for eligible iPhones and iPads, while MacRumors reports that Apple also released iOS 15.8.8, iOS 16.7.16, iOS 18.7.9, and iPadOS 17.7.11 for older devices unable to run iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.^[9]

Apple’s iOS 26 security-release listing put the iOS 26 generation on iPhone 11 and later, and listed iPadOS 26 support for 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.^[28]

If your device is on a legacy branch, the update prompt may show one of those older version numbers instead of iOS 26.5. Those legacy releases are the relevant update path for that hardware, but the published iOS 26.5 release summaries tie encrypted RCS to iOS 26.5 Messages and do not establish that the same feature arrives in the legacy branches.^[5][9]

Should you update?

Yes, if iOS 26.5 is offered for your iPhone. The update brings a meaningful privacy improvement for supported iPhone-Android RCS chats, plus Apple’s bug-fix and security-update bundle.^[5][10][17]

After updating, do not assume every green-bubble conversation is encrypted immediately. Look for the encrypted indicator and remember that Apple’s rollout depends on supported carriers and compatible RCS implementations.^[5][10][11]

For older devices, install the newest update your device offers. Even when the update is a legacy iOS or iPadOS release rather than iOS 26.5, Apple’s security guidance is clear that keeping software current is the most important step for protecting Apple devices.^[19]