iOS 26.5 introduces several interoperability changes for third-party wearables, which means European iPhone users have access to new capabilities when using non-Apple accessories.


To comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple is letting third-party wearables access some features that have historically been limited to the Apple Watch and AirPods.

• Proximity pairing - Third-party earbuds are able to use proximity pairing to connect to an iPhone, similar to the AirPods. Bringing a set of earbuds that support the feature near an iPhone will initiate an AirPods-like one-tap pairing process, so third-party wearables like earbuds will no longer require multiple steps to pair.


• iPhone notifications - Third-party accessories like smartwatches are able to receive notifications from the iPhone, and users are able to view and react to them. Interactive notifications from the iPhone have been limited to the Apple Watch, while third-party wearables have only been able to display read-only notifications. Notifications can only be forwarded to a single connected device at a time, so turning on notifications for a third-party wearable disables notifications on Apple Watch.


• Live Activities - Live Activities from the iPhone can be displayed on a third-party wearable, similar to how Live Activities are shown on an Apple Watch.

Accessory makers will need to add support for the interoperability updates, so they may not be available right away. Third-party TVs, smartwatches, and headphones will be able to use the features.

Apple has been testing the interoperability changes in betas for the last several months, starting with iOS 26.3, but they're available for all EU users with the launch of iOS 26.5.

Apple updated its Developer Program License Agreement to reflect the EU changes. Forwarded notifications and Live Activities cannot be used for advertising, profiling, training models, or monitoring location. Forwarded information can't be sent to any other app or device besides the authorized target accessory, nor can it be modified in a way that "materially changes the meaning."

Expanded support for third-party wearables is limited to iPhone users in the European Union with an Apple account set to an EU country or region.

Apple has warned that the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is forcing it to make "concerning changes" to its products and services in the EU, and exposing customers to new risks while also disrupting the way that Apple products work together. In September, Apple urged European regulators to scrap the DMA, and in November, it shared a study it commissioned that found the DMA has not resulted in lower prices for consumers.
This article, "EU iPhone Users Get AirPods-Like Pairing and Notification Forwarding for Third-Party Wearables in iOS 26.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

The iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 updates Apple released today address more than 50 security vulnerabilities, which means it's worth updating soon if you haven't done so already.


Apple's security support document outlines all of the security updates included in the new software. There were no known actively exploited bugs, but Apple's documentation does potentially give malicious entities insight into bugs that can be exploited on devices that have not yet been updated.

There are multiple image vulnerabilities, kernel issues, and bugs related to Shortcuts, Spotlight, and screenshots. Ten WebKit vulnerabilities that could allow access to sensitive data or cause crashing were fixed.

Other updates Apple released today also include multiple security fixes. For iPhone and iPad users unable to install iOS 26, Apple released iOS 18.7.9, iPadOS 18.7.9, iPadOS 17.7.11, iOS 16.7.16, iPadOS 16.7.16, iOS 15.8.8, and iPadOS 15.8.8.

There are almost 70 security updates in macOS Tahoe 26.5, so it's also a good idea to update your Mac software. Apple released macOS Sonoma 14.8.7 and macOS Sequoia 15.7.7 for those who are unable to run ‌macOS Tahoe‌.
This article, "Apple's iOS 26.5 Update Patches More Than 50 Security Flaws" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today updated its Apple Developer app, introducing a Liquid Glass redesign and giving developers some WWDC-themed stickers that can be used in the Messages app.


The Apple Developer app has a revamped Liquid Glass icon that reintroduces some older design elements while adopting the translucent Liquid Glass aesthetic. The icon has a pencil, paintbrush, and ruler that form the "A" shape, which is a departure from the prior version with a more generic design.


There are also Liquid Glass design elements in the app, with Apple adopting a translucent navigation bar with a Liquid Glass slider, and a separate search button.

The stickers include a 50th anniversary design, a skull with an Apple eyepatch, a juice box, California poppies, and holographic-style hello and WWDC 26 options. The stickers are all animated.










Apple says the app also includes list filtering by Unwatched, Bookmarked, and Downloaded, along with preferred topics. Image capture during enrollment has also been improved.

Thank you for your feedback! New in this release:

- Refreshed look with Liquid Glass.
- List filtering by Unwatched, Bookmarked, and Downloaded, and preferred topics.
- Improved reliability of image capture during enrollment.
- Bug fixes and various other enhancements.

The Apple Developer app is available to download for free. Ahead of WWDC 2026, it will be updated with new session information and an option to watch the keynote event on June 8.
This article, "Apple Developer App Gets Liquid Glass Makeover and New WWDC 2026 Stickers" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is officially available, Apple confirmed today. Support is included in iOS 26.5, which is now available to everyone.


End-to-end encrypted ‌RCS‌ messaging is available in a beta capacity, even though it is in the launch version of iOS 26.5. The feature is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time, and for conversations to be encrypted, both the receiver and the sender must use a carrier that supports the latest version of ‌RCS‌.

Apple says that it worked with Google to lead a cross-industry effort to add E2EE to ‌RCS‌. iOS users will need iOS 26.5, while Android users will need the latest version of Google Messages.

End-to-end encryption is on by default, and there is a toggle for it in the Messages section of the Settings app. Encrypted messages are denoted with a small lock symbol.

E2EE means that messages sent between devices cannot be intercepted and read by a third party. On iPhones not running iOS 26.5, ‌RCS‌ messages between iPhone and Android users do not have E2EE, but the new update will put Android to iPhone conversations on par with iPhone to iPhone conversations that are encrypted through iMessage.

Along with Google, Apple worked with the GSM Association to implement E2EE for ‌RCS‌ messages. E2EE is part of the ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 3.0, published with Apple's help and built on the Messaging Layer Security protocol. ‌‌RCS‌‌ Universal Profile 3.0 also includes editing and deleting messages, cross-platform Tapback support, and replying to specific messages inline during cross-platform conversations.
This article, "iPhone-Android RCS Conversations Are End-to-End Encrypted in iOS 26.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, the newest updates to the iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 operating systems. The software comes nearly two months after Apple released iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4.


The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 15.8.8, iOS 16.7.16, iOS 18.7.9, and iPadOS 17.7.11 for older devices unable to run ‌iOS 26‌ and ‌iPadOS 26‌.

iOS 26.5 introduces end-to-end encryption for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users. E2EE for ‌RCS‌ requires both participants in the conversation to have a carrier that supports the feature, and carriers will be rolling out support over time. Encrypted ‌RCS‌ messages have a small lock symbol, and match the end-to-end encryption protections of iMessage.

In the Maps app, there is a new "Suggested Places" section that displays recommendations based on location and recent searches. The Maps app is getting ads this summer, and the groundwork for ads is included in iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5.

Apple added a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that matches the Pride Luminance Apple Watch face and Apple Watch band. The updates are largely the same on iPad.

Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following enhancements:
- End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time. For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/109526
- Pride Luminance wallpaper that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available for download
- Suggested Places in Maps displays recommendations based on what's trending nearby and your recent searches

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit: https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:https://support.apple.com/125039

iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 may be some of the last updates that we get with new features. Apple is shifting its focus to iOS 27 and iPadOS 27, new updates that will be previewed at WWDC next month.
This article, "Apple Releases iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 With End-to-End Encrypted RCS, New Wallpaper, and Maps Updates" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released macOS Tahoe 26.5, the fifth major update to the ‌macOS Tahoe‌ operating system. ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5 comes seven weeks after Apple released macOS Tahoe 26.4.


Mac users can download the new software by opening up the System Settings app and navigating to the Software Update section.

‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.5 adds a Suggested Places section to the search interface in the Apple Maps app. It also lays the groundwork for ads in the Maps app, which are coming this summer.

The App Store is also getting a monthly subscription option that will let users pay a lower price on a monthly basis, but agree to pay for a subscription for a 12-month period.

The update also likely includes several bug fixes and other under-the-hood performance updates, but no new features were found during the beta testing period.
This article, "macOS Tahoe 26.5 Now Available" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released watchOS 26.5, the fifth major update to the watchOS 26 operating system that came out in September. watchOS 26.5 comes a month and a half after Apple released watchOS 26.4.


watchOS 26.5 can be downloaded for free on an iPhone running iOS 26.5 by opening up the Apple Watch app and going to General > Software Update, or initiating an update in the Settings app on the watch. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.


watchOS 26.5 adds a new Pride Luminance watch face. It also fixes a bug with dual SIM iPhones and an issue that could cause audio alerts to fail to play in the Workout app. Apple's release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
- Pride Luminance watch face that dynamically refracts a spectrum of colors, is available to add from the Face Gallery
- Fixes an issue where Messages on Apple Watch may use SMS instead of iMessage when paired with a dual SIM iPhone
- Fixes an issue where Workout app audio alerts could fail to play if the phone was not nearby Apple Watch
For information on the security content of Apple software please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/100100

More on the features in ‌watchOS 26‌ can be found in our watchOS 26 roundup.
This article, "Apple Releases watchOS 26.5 With New Pride Luminance Watch Face" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released tvOS 26.5, the fifth update to the tvOS operating system that came out last fall. tvOS 26.5 is available for the Apple TV 4K, and it comes over a month after Apple released tvOS 26.4.


tvOS 26.5 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌‌‌Apple TV‌‌‌ owners who have automatic software updates activated will be upgraded to tvOS 26.5 automatically.

No new features were found in tvOS 26.5 during the beta testing period, so it likely focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements. Apple shares tvOS release notes on its website.
This article, "Apple Releases tvOS 26.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Apple today released visionOS 26.5, the fifth update to the visionOS 26 operating system that launched in September. visionOS 26.5 comes close to two months after Apple released visionOS 26.4.


‌visionOS 26‌.5 can be downloaded on all Vision Pro headsets by navigating to the Settings app, selecting the General section, and choosing the Software Update option. To install an update, the Vision Pro headset needs to be removed, and there is a software progress bar available on the exterior EyeSight display.

Apple's release notes say that visionOS 26.5 includes bug fixes and security improvements.

visionOS 26.5 is recommended for all Vision Pro users.

This article, "Apple Releases visionOS 26.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums

Alongside iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and macOS Tahoe 26.5, Apple has released new HomePod 26.5 software for the ‌HomePod‌ and the HomePod mini. The update comes a little over a month after Apple released ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.4.


According to Apple's release notes, ‌HomePod‌ Software 26.5 includes performance and stability improvements.

‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ software is installed automatically on the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌ unless the feature is disabled‌‌‌‌, but the ‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌HomePod‌‌‌‌‌‌‌‌ can also be manually updated in the Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then selecting the Software Update option.
This article, "Apple Releases HomePod Software 26.5" first appeared on MacRumors.com

Discuss this article in our forums