Apple has seeded a second round of release candidate builds of iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, bringing the updates a step closer to public release with a smaller round of fixes and feature additions. <\/p>\n
The RC builds arrived one week after the fourth betas<\/a>. Release candidates are typically the final versions Apple ships publicly unless major bugs force additional revisions during last-minute testing.
<\/p>\n Build number 23F77 appears on Apple’s developer portal for both iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, replacing the earlier 23F75 RC build released on May 4.
<\/p>\n iOS 26.5 focuses on smaller platform updates<\/p>\n iOS 26.5 focuses on bug fixes, interoperability updates, and smaller feature additions instead of major interface changes or new Apple Intelligence<\/a> features. The lighter update fits Apple’s usual pattern ahead of WWDC, where the company typically introduces its next generation of operating systems.
<\/p>\n Support for encrypted RCS<\/a> is one of the more notable additions discovered during the beta cycle. The feature depends on carriers adopting the latest GSMA Universal Profile specifications and expands encrypted messaging support beyond Apple’s existing iMessage ecosystem.
<\/p>\n New Pride-themed wallpapers are also included<\/a> in the update alongside additional changes tied to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. Expanded support for Live Activities and notification forwarding on some third-party accessories and connected devices appeared during testing as part of those compliance efforts.
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