Apple is preparing to roll out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messaging in iOS 26.5, now in release candidate (RC) stage, marking a long-awaited step toward secure cross-platform communication between iPhone and Android users.
The feature, currently in beta, ensures that messages exchanged over RCS cannot be intercepted or read by third parties during transit.
The addition follows earlier testing in the iOS 26.4 beta, where encrypted RCS messaging first appeared but was ultimately excluded from the final public release in March. With iOS 26.5 now in its final pre-release phase after more than a month of beta testing, Apple appears set to ship the feature to users imminently, barring any last-minute issues.
The Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol is a carrier-backed messaging standard designed to replace SMS and MMS with more modern features such as typing indicators, high-resolution media sharing, and read receipts. By layering end-to-end encryption on top of RCS, Apple is addressing one of the protocol’s longstanding limitations — its lack of consistent, built-in message security across platforms.
The new encryption feature will work in Apple’s Messages app when users communicate with Android devices that support compatible RCS profiles. However, availability will depend heavily on carrier support, as not all mobile operators have implemented RCS, and fewer still support encrypted variants of the protocol. Apple has indicated that the rollout will occur gradually, with support expanding over time as carriers enable the required infrastructure.
Apple Inc., headquartered in Cupertino, California, is one of the world’s largest consumer technology companies, serving over a billion active iPhone users globally. Its messaging ecosystem has long relied on iMessage for secure communication between Apple devices, using end-to-end encryption by default. However, messages sent to non-Apple devices have historically fallen back to unencrypted SMS or standard RCS, creating a security gap for cross-platform conversations.
The introduction of encrypted RCS significantly narrows that gap. While it does not fully unify messaging protocols across ecosystems, it establishes a baseline level of privacy for mixed-device chats that previously lacked robust protections. The move also reflects increasing regulatory and user pressure for interoperable, secure communication standards.
In addition to encrypted RCS, iOS 26.5 includes several smaller updates, such as a dynamic “Pride Luminance” wallpaper and a new “Suggested Places” feature in Apple Maps that surfaces location recommendations based on user activity and local trends. The update also contains bug fixes and security patches, though Apple has not yet disclosed specific vulnerability details.
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