Apple To Release iOS 26.5.1 iPhone Update In Coming Days, Report Says - Forbes

Consumer TechApple To Release iOS 26.5.1 iPhone Update In Coming Days, Report SaysByDavid Phelan, Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about lifestyle techFollow AuthorMay 26, 2026, 07:50am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryApple is reportedly preparing two new iOS updates, 26.5.1 and 26.6, following the May 11 release of iOS 26.5. The minor update, iOS 26.5.1, is expected within days, likely on May 27 or 28, bypassing Memorial Day. This update will primarily address bug fixes and security issues, potentially refining features like the recently added RCS messaging. Meanwhile, iOS 26.6 is also in testing, anticipated as one of the final releases for the iOS 26 cycle. While 26.6 is a major point release, significant new features are not expected, as they are reserved for iOS 27. The first developer beta for 26.6 might be released after WWDC, scheduled for June 8-12. Apple iPhone 17Getty ImagesMay 26 update: this post, first published on Saturday, May 23, was updated with more details of what’s expected to be in the new release, and when it’s expected to go live. It’s not even two weeks since the last iPhone update, iOS 26.5, was released on Monday, May 11, 2026. But the latest report suggests that there are already two more updates almost on the glide path. And the first of these, iOS 26.5.1, could be just days away. Here’s what’s in them and when they’ll land. It’s not uncommon for Apple to follow a major-point release with a minor one, and the timing fits for iOS 26.5.1 to be on its way if its needed. Mostly, but far from always, minor point releases are about bug fixes and security issues, and as iOS 26.6 brought one very big update — RCS messaging to make messages sent between Android and iPhone as secure as iMessages already were — the next update will almost certainly be to tweak features such as these. It may still be light on security issues as more than 60 flaws were repaired in iOS 26.5, unless something didn’t quite take after all. As for what fixes will be in the update, The Mac Observer has this take on the upcoming release. “Reports from users still point to battery drain, overheating, app glitches, and occasional performance issues on some iPhone models,” it said. I’d add that although I heard initial commentary about battery drain from iOS 26.5, which is commonplace in the hours and days after installation thanks to the system re-indexing, this hasn’t seemed to be a major problem. It’s exacerbated if you’ve updated after a long time of avoiding releases, for instance if you’ve gone from iOS 26.1 to iOS 26.5, say. Additionally, the report says that “delayed keyboard response, and occasional animation lag after installing iOS 26.5,” have been noticed. What the release probably isn’t is a Background Security Improvements release. These lightweight patches that install quickly and can be as easily uninstalled are few and far between — there has been just one so far, in late March 2026. If it were a BSI update, it would likely have an (a) in its name, such like the first one, which was numbered iOS 26.3.1(a). I’ll report back if it is a BSI update, not least because these are not found where regular updates are. Instead, it’s in the Settings app under Privacy & Security, right at the bottom of the page. Note also that when it does arrive, it’s unlikely there will be an iOS 18 update that’s available to the latest phones. Apple stopped letting iPhone 11 and later users install iOS 18 updates months ago, though there were two recent exceptions to this rule, iOS 18.7.7 and iOS 18,7,8. I don’t think that’ll happen this time — Apple wants as many people on iOS 26 as possible. It has more features and it’s more secure. And, to be fair, the first developer beta of iOS 27 is less than two weeks away… “Apple's software engineers are testing iOS 26.5.1, according to the MacRumors visitor logs, which have been a reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions,” MacRumors reported. That means the release is imminent, but when, exactly? Ordinarily, I’d say Monday, May 25 or Tuesday, May 26, but Monday is Memorial Day, so that’s unlikely. Apple’s engineers will be working on it on Tuesday, so I believe Wednesday, May 27 or even Thursday, May 28 are the most likely dates. The Mac Observer also had a thought about the release date. “That makes a quick iOS 26.5.1 release look very likely. Apple usually releases “.1” updates shortly after a major public build when post-update issues start surfacing across supported devices. In recent years, these smaller patches have focused on fixing real-world problems instead of adding major new features,” it commented. It also said that the release will likely arrive “sooner rather than later.” The MacRumors logs also revealed that Apple is simultaneously testing iOS 26.6, which will likely be one of the last releases for the iOS 26 cycle. This is a major point release, but I’d suggest you don’t expect much in the way of new features, which will surely arrive in iOS 27, on general release in the fall. Although testing has started, if Apple follows the same schedule as last year, the first beta may not be sent to developers until after WWDC, which runs from June 8 to 12.