Apple’s 2026 Pride Collection Brings 11 Customizable Wallpapers and a Woven Sport Loop to iOS 26.5

Key facts

• Apple introduced the 2026 Pride Collection on May 4, 2026, including a Sport Loop, watch face, and wallpapers.
• The Pride Edition Sport Loop is woven from 11 colors of nylon yarn and costs $49 in the U.S.
• The band is available in 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm sizes, orderable now on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app.
• The Pride Luminance watch face features two geometric patterns: radial (rays aligning with hour marks) and vertical (linear stripes).
• iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 will include 11 pre-built Pride wallpaper variants plus a custom builder allowing 1 to 12 colors.
• The Pride Luminance watch face and wallpapers will be available after the software updates are released, expected later this month.
• Apple stated it is proud to financially support organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities.

A Woven Rainbow: The Pride Edition Sport Loop

Apple today unveiled its 2026 Pride Collection, headlined by a new Pride Edition Sport Loop for the Apple Watch. The band is woven from a rainbow of 11 colors of nylon yarns, with intricate blending that creates depth and movement across the band. Apple described the design as “joyful and vibrant,” showcasing a full spectrum of colors that reflect the unique identities shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide. The Sport Loop is available to order immediately on Apple.com and in the Apple Store app at $49 in the U.S., with in-store availability beginning later this week. It comes in three sizes — 40mm, 42mm, and 46mm — and will also be sold through Apple Authorized Resellers. The company emphasized its ongoing financial support for organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities, though it did not disclose specific recipients or amounts.

Pride Luminance: A Watch Face in Two Geometric Patterns

Complementing the band is the new Pride Luminance watch face, designed to refract colors dynamically. The face offers two geometric patterns: radial, featuring rays of color that align with the hour marks, and vertical, which mirrors the colorful linear stripes of the Sport Loop’s weaving pattern. Users can customize the watch face with additional color options, allowing for a unique expression of identity and community. The watch face will be available to add from the watch face gallery after watchOS 26.5 is released. Apple has not specified an exact date but indicated the update is expected later this month. The face is designed to work with the Always-On display, transitioning smoothly from a dimmed state to full color.

iOS 26.5 Wallpaper: 11 Variants and a Custom Builder

The matching iPhone and iPad wallpaper, also part of the Pride Luminance collection, offers more flexibility than initially announced. iOS 26.5 includes 11 distinct versions of the Pride wallpaper, all rendered in Apple’s Liquid Glass design aesthetic. Joining these pre-built options is a custom builder that lets users manually select between 1 and 12 colors from a color picker, combining them into a personalized wallpaper. The custom builder was revealed in the Release Candidate build of iOS 26.5, which shipped to developers and public beta testers earlier today. The dimmed version of the wallpaper, visible when the iPhone is in Always-On display mode, transitions to full color when the screen is activated. The wallpaper will be available after iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 are released to all users.

Timeline and Availability of the Software Updates

Apple released the Release Candidate builds of iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 on the same day it announced the Pride Collection. These builds give developers and public beta testers early access to the new wallpapers and watch face. The company has not announced a specific public release date, but the updates are expected to roll out to all users later this month, in time for Pride Month in June. The Pride Edition Sport Loop is available immediately, while the digital content requires the software updates. Apple’s press contacts confirmed the media helpline for further inquiries, though no additional details on future updates were provided.

Broader Context: Apple’s Ongoing Commitment to LGBTQ+ Communities

Apple has a long history of releasing Pride-themed products and supporting LGBTQ+ causes, and the 2026 collection continues that tradition. The company stated it is “proud to financially support organizations that serve LGBTQ+ communities,” though it did not name specific groups or disclose donation amounts. The collection arrives amid ongoing debates about corporate support for LGBTQ+ rights, with some companies facing backlash from conservative groups while others reaffirm their commitments. The 2026 Pride Collection also coincides with broader updates in iOS 26.5, which include RCS messaging encryption and other features. However, the Pride-themed elements are standalone, designed to be available throughout Pride Month and beyond. Apple’s decision to offer a custom wallpaper builder reflects a trend toward personalization, allowing users to tailor the experience to their own identities.

The bottom line

• Apple’s 2026 Pride Collection includes a $49 Sport Loop in three sizes, a watch face with two geometric patterns, and 11 wallpaper variants plus a custom builder.
• The Pride Luminance watch face and wallpapers will be available after watchOS 26.5, iOS 26.5, and iPadOS 26.5 are released later this month.
• The custom wallpaper builder lets users select 1 to 12 colors, offering extensive personalization beyond the pre-built options.
• Apple continues its financial support for LGBTQ+ organizations, though specific recipients or amounts were not disclosed.
• The collection is designed for Pride Month in June but will remain available indefinitely after the software updates.