Apple releases iOS 26.5 RC 2 ahead of public launch

Apple has released iOS 26.5 RC 2, the final pre-release build before public launch next week, indicating the company is in the final stage of quality assurance with bug fixes rather than new features. IT leaders managing iOS deployments should prepare for organizational rollout planning, as the update will include security enhancements like RCS end-to-end encrypted messaging and new productivity features such as 'Suggested Places' in Apple Maps. This timing allows technology teams to coordinate device management policies, test critical applications for compatibility, and schedule deployment to minimize business disruption.