Google and Apple have begun rolling out end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging, securing cross-platform chats between Android and iPhone users by default. The feature is currently available in beta for select iOS and Android users on supported carriers and devices.
With this update, messages are encrypted during transmission and cannot be read while being sent. Google Messages already supports end-to-end encryption for Android-to-Android chats, and now extends similar protection to cross-platform conversations. The feature will be enabled automatically for RCS chats, though the companies have not shared a full rollout timeline or list of supported carriers.
Apple shook up its mobile experience last year with the release of iOS 26, introducing a sleek “liquid glass” interface that spanned devices from the iPhone 11 through the iPhone 17 series. Now, the company is gearing up for its next incremental update, iOS 26.5, which is set to refine the experience further, particularly within its Messages app.
A major highlight of iOS 26.5 is the addition of end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging. While RCS has already improved communication between different platforms, this move pushes it closer to the level of privacy users expect from modern messaging services. That said, the feature won’t be universally available right away, it will debut in beta and depend on carrier support, with a broader rollout planned over time.
Apple is expanding iOS 26.5 beyond messaging with a new Pride Luminance wallpaper that adds a dynamic, colorful visual effect. The Maps app is also getting an upgrade, introducing Suggested Places to offer recommendations based on nearby trends and user activity.
What is RCS messaging?
Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a next-generation, internet-based messaging standard that enhances traditional SMS and MMS by adding capabilities such as high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, and more advanced group messaging. Often promoted as “chat features,” “Advanced Messaging,” or “5G Messaging,” it supports secure, interactive communication between Android devices and now iOS, offering an experience comparable to over-the-top (OTT) apps like WhatsApp.