iOS 26.5 Update Released for iPhone & iPad with RCS Messaging, New Pride Wallpaper, Security Fixes

Apple has released iOS 26.5 for iPhone, along with ipadOS 26.5 for iPad. The new software updates include bug fixes, security patches, and a few new features, including encrypted RCS messaging on supported carriers (basically for encrypted texting between iPhone and Android users), a new customizable Pride wallpaper, and “Suggested Places” in Apple Maps.

Separately, Apple has also released macOS Tahoe 26.5 for Mac, watchOS 26.5 for Apple Watch, tvOS 26.5 for Apple TV, and a variety of other software updates for their various system software versions. Be sure to check your devices for any available updates, because even older model iPhone and iPad devices that do not support iOS 26 have updates available for them.

Full release notes for iOS 26.5, as well as IPSW firmware file download links, are further below.

How to Download & Install iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 Update

Backup iPhone/iPad to iCloud before starting a system software update.

1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “General” and then to “Software Update”
3. Select to “Update Now” to download and install the iOS 26.5 update / iPadOS 26.5 update

Installing iOS 26.5 will require the iPhone or iPad to restart.

Users can also choose to install the iOS update through a computer with a USB connection, or with IPSW files linked further below.

iOS 26.5 Release Notes

Release notes included for iOS 26.5 are as follows:

iOS 26.5

This update introduces support for end-to-end encrypted RCS (beta) messaging and a downloadable Pride Luminance wallpaper, along with enhancements, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone

This update includes the following enhancements:
● End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time. For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/109526
● Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download
● Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what’s trending nearby and your recent searches

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit: https://support.apple.com/125039

iOS 26.5 IPSW Firmware Download Links

If you want to use IPSW to manually update iOS you can do so, the following links point to the IPSW files at Apple CDN servers:

• Updating…

iPadOS 26.5 IPSW Firmware File Download Links

• UPdating…

Don’t forget to update your other devices as well, as just about every Apple device has received a software update today, including MacOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and various updates for older model iPhone, iPad, and Mac hardware.