System updates released: macOS 26.5, iOS 26.5 and others | News

There will be additional updates for all major system platforms this evening in the form of further updates. Eight months have now passed since the release of System 26, which is why the .5 update is now due according to Apple’s usual rhythm. This means that the cycle is slowly coming to an end, because from June the 27 generation will be in the foreground – and the 26 will only receive maintenance updates. The list of visible innovations in the versions that have now been released is extremely short; as is well known, a revised voice assistant will not come onto the market until autumn.

The well-known innovations and release notes
Things look particularly thin on the Mac this time, because Apple doesn’t have any new functions available, apart from security and stability improvements that are not documented in detail. In the case of iOS 26.5, there are at least three points that Apple documents in the release notes:

• End-to-end encrypted RCS messages in Messages are available in beta on supported carriers and will be rolled out gradually
• The Pride Luminance wallpaper, which dynamically refracts a color spectrum, is available for download
• Suggested Places in Maps shows recommendations based on current nearby trends and your recent searches

It is important to note that the additional Pride wallpapers called “Pride Luminance” only affect iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch users. RCS messages run through the iPhone, so E2E encryption is only indirectly a macOS feature. Developers who offer subscriptions for their apps can now include an additional payment option – annual subscriptions with monthly payments (see article).

The suggestion system in Apple Maps sounds like a major functional improvement, but it has a different ulterior motive: Apple is now using the area to display advertising, more specifically paid search results and ads. According to the official announcement, the USA and Canada are the first to start; so far nothing has been heard from other countries.

Updates for older systems
In addition to macOS 26.5, iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, watchOS 26.5, HomePod software 26.5 and visionOS 26.5, Apple has, as usual, not forgotten users of older systems. Security updates are always available for the two macOS releases before the current version. Specifically, these are macOS 15.7.7 and macOS 14.8.7. Apple provides iOS 15.8.8, iOS 16.7.16, iOS 18.7.9 and iPadOS 17.7.11 for iPhone and iPad.