Apple releases the first 26.5 beta of iOS, macOS, watchOS and other software

Apple has begun the rollout of the first beta of version 26.5 of its software. Specifically, iOS 26.5 is characterized by the integration of the RCS (Rich Communication Services) standard, with end-to-end encryption (E2EE) enabled by default. This is a fundamental technical step to ensure privacy in conversations between iOS and Android users, aiming to close a historical gap that left cross-platform messages vulnerable to third-party interception. In the Messages settings, the new option allows users to verify the encryption status, explicitly indicating when a chat is fully protected. Although this feature is present in beta 1, actual availability remains tied to the support of individual mobile operators within a gradual rollout that may not cover the entire user base at launch.

Driven by European regulations, Apple continues to dismantle the boundaries of its ecosystem. In iOS 26.5 Beta 1, new APIs for third-party wearable manufacturers appear. Developers of non-Apple smartwatches and smart bands will now be able to utilize proximity pairing (similar to that of AirPods) and manage notification forwarding natively. Additionally, there is the ability to synchronize Live Activities on third-party devices, allowing, for example, the display of delivery times or sports scores on a Garmin watch or a smart ring with the same fluidity afforded to Apple Watch.

Moreover, minor but indicative innovations emerge for the services. Apple Books introduces a "Year In Review 2026" section (a gamification system rewarding readers with titles and digital medals like Reading Royalty or The Loyal Reader), mirroring the success of annual summaries typical of streaming platforms. Meanwhile, the process of migrating data to Android has been refined (the system now allows users to precisely select which message attachments to transfer, offering time options ranging from the last 30 days to the entire historical archive). As for Siri, Cupertino’s labs seem to have decided to freeze the heavier new features related to Apple Intelligence. Despite rumors circulating in previous months, iOS 26.5 does not introduce the advanced new language models, which are likely set for the roadmap of iOS 27 planned for next fall.

Not just iPhone: macOS Tahoe and the rest of the family The release was not limited to smartphones. Among the updates released, we mention macOS Tahoe 26.5 Beta 1, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5, with releases seemingly focusing more on performance refinement and critical bug fixes. At the moment, Apple has not released any changelog for the new versions of the beta software.