Release record
Release notes
Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.
iOS 26.5 introduced a beta of end-to-end encryption for RCS on supported carriers, the Pride Luminance wallpaper, Maps recommendations, and a set of StoreKit improvements and fixes.[1][2]
Apple’s shared developer notes contained approximately four topic areas and nine listed items when reviewed on July 29, 2026; RCS encryption availability was described as rolling out over time.[3]
Source ledger
Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.
Apple Developer · 2026-07-29 · Release title and build
Apple Support · 2026-07-29
Documented & observed
Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.
Release changes
Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.
bugFix · fixed
Receipt version decoding and current-entitlement results under non-Gregorian calendars were corrected.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
Suggested Places added recommendations intended to make destination discovery easier in Maps.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
The Pride Luminance wallpaper was added to the iPhone wallpaper gallery.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
iOS 26.5 began a beta rollout of RCS end-to-end encryption for supported carriers, with availability expanding over time.
Recorded at Public
bugFix · fixed
The update fixed documented failures involving installation or removal of Unity and Kaleidoscope wallpapers.
Recorded at Public
developerApi · introduced
Developers gained APIs for supported subscription plans with an annual commitment and monthly payments.
Recorded at Public
Milestones
Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.
Developer beta
Developer beta
Build 23F5043k
Developer beta
Developer beta
Developer beta
Release candidate
Release candidate
Public release
The public iOS 26.5 release added a carrier-dependent RCS encryption beta and smaller consumer additions alongside StoreKit work and wallpaper fixes.
23F77Historical context
Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.
Historical avg for .5 releases
51 days, 7.2 milestones
Based on 6 previous iOS .5 releases
Cycle vs. platform average
42d (avg: 58d)
16 days shorter than the iOS average
Duration ranking
#53 of 92
Middle of the pack iOS beta cycles
Longest gap in this cycle
10 days
Between Beta 1 v2 and Beta 2