RCS Finally Gets End-to-End Encrypted Messaging on iOS
With iOS 26.5, Apple is switching on end-to-end encrypted messaging for RCS chats, significantly boosting privacy when you text Android users. RCS (Rich Communication Services) already felt more modern than SMS, thanks to features like high-resolution media, typing indicators, and delivery or read receipts. What it lacked on iPhone was the same strong encryption that protects iMessage conversations. That gap is now closing. Apple says RCS messages protected by end-to-end encryption cannot be read while they travel between devices, and a new lock icon will appear in RCS threads to signal that protection. The feature is launching as a beta, tied to supported carriers and the latest Google Messages app on Android. Encryption is enabled by default and will gradually roll out to new and existing RCS conversations without users needing to manually opt in.
How RCS Encryption Changes Everyday Messaging
For most people, iOS 26.5 RCS encryption matters because it narrows the security gap between iMessage and traditional SMS or MMS. Until now, green-bubble conversations were a weak link: richer than SMS but not end-to-end encrypted, meaning carriers or intermediaries could theoretically access message content. With iOS 26.5, that risk is reduced for supported RCS chats, bringing cross-platform conversations closer to the privacy standard iPhone users expect in iMessage. You’ll know an RCS chat is protected when you see the lock icon in the thread, and encryption is on by default once it reaches your device and carrier. That said, RCS remains a carrier-provided service, so availability depends on whether your operator supports it and whether both sides of the conversation are on compatible apps and software versions. As the rollout progresses, secure messaging should feel more consistent, regardless of who you are texting.
Liquid Glass Visual Refinements Focus on Comfort and Control
Beyond messaging, iOS 26.5 also refines Apple’s Liquid Glass experience, with a clear focus on visual comfort and accessibility. Liquid Glass’s fluid animations can feel immersive, but they may overwhelm users who are sensitive to motion. Apple is addressing this with a more reliable Reduce Motion setting that more consistently tones down those dynamic effects across the interface. A new Reduce bright effects option aims to minimize sudden flashes or intense highlights when you tap or interact with elements, which can be particularly helpful in low-light environments or for users prone to eye strain. Subtitle and caption controls are now easier to reach, appearing directly from the captions icon while content is playing. Together, these Liquid Glass iOS tweaks make the system feel more adaptable: you get the visual polish if you want it, and more subdued, predictable behavior if you do not.
iOS Keyboard Improvements and Other Everyday Upgrades
Apple is also targeting one of the most frequent user complaints: typing mistakes. In iOS 26.5, the company promises improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly, which should mean fewer autocorrect frustrations and more reliable text input across apps. This sits alongside several smaller upgrades that quietly enhance daily use. There are eight new emoji, including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face, adding more nuance to conversations. Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools plus access to a premium content library, aligning it more closely with Apple Creator Studio. Reminders can now be marked as urgent directly from the Quick Toolbar or via touch-and-hold, with Smart Lists filters to surface urgent items. Purchase Sharing gives adults in Family Sharing groups the option to use their own payment methods, reducing reliance on a single organizer account for app and media purchases.
Music, Media, and Discovery Features Round Out the Update
iOS 26.5 also brings a suite of media-focused additions designed to make listening and discovery more seamless. Playlist Playground, currently in beta, can generate a playlist from a simple text description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist, offering a fast way to match music to a mood or activity. A new Concerts feature helps you find nearby shows based on artists in your library and recommends performers aligned with your listening habits. Offline Music Recognition in Control Center can identify songs even without an internet connection, automatically delivering results once you are back online. An Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing places curated playlists directly on the Home Screen, while full-screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look. Taken together, these additions complement the headline RCS encryption and iOS keyboard improvements with richer, more convenient entertainment features.