GoKawiilApple released the first public beta of iOS 26.5 on Monday, about two weeks after the company released the massive iOS 26.4 update, which included new emoji, video podcasts and more. The iOS 26.5 beta brings a few smaller -- but significant -- changes to the iPhones of developers and beta testers, including one feature that will be familiar to anyone who has kept up with past iOS betas.
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
Because this is a beta, I recommend downloading it only on something other than your primary device. This isn't the final version of iOS 26.5, so the update might be buggy and battery life may be short, so it's best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.
Also, since this isn't the final version, there could be more features to land on your iPhone whenever 26.5 is released.
Here are some features developers and beta testers can try now, and what could land on your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.5.
End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging returns
The iOS 26.5 beta brings back an option to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on your device. When Apple brought RCS messaging to iPhones with iOS 18, one feature the messaging protocol was missing was end-to-end encryption, and iOS 26.5 could finally bring this privacy protection to your iPhone.
To find this setting, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and tap the slider next to End-to-End Encryption (Beta).
Apple/Screenshot by CNET
Apple writes in the feature's description that it's still in beta and it works only on certain carriers and devices. Apple also writes that these encrypted messages will be labeled as such, so you should know when your messages do and don't have this level of protection.
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