iOS 26.4 beta 2 adds support for testing encrypted RCS between iPhone and Android
Source: 9to5Mac
iOS 26.4 beta 2 expands encrypted RCS testing to iPhone‑Android messaging
iOS 26.4 beta 2 is now rolling out for developers. The update expands support for testing encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone, adding iPhone‑to‑Android capability that was missing in beta 1.
When iOS 26.4 beta 1 was released last week, it added early support for testing RCS encryption, but only for iPhone‑to‑iPhone messaging.
In beta 2, support is expanding to include messaging between iPhone and Android devices.
Enabling the feature
- The rollout is gradual for iPhone users running iOS 26.4 beta 2.
- Android users must be on the latest beta version of the Google Messages app.
- Availability may vary by carrier.
After updating, iPhone users can go to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and look for the new “End‑to‑End Encryption (Beta)” toggle, which is enabled by default.
Interface changes
- When you message someone with RCS encryption enabled, a lock icon appears in the chat thread.
- Android users see the same lock icon in their message threads.
- The lock icon also appears on all iMessage threads (iMessage has been end‑to‑end encrypted since 2011).
Future availability
As reported last week, RCS end‑to‑end encryption will not ship as part of the final iOS 26.4 release. It is included in the beta for testing purposes, and Apple states it will be available in a future iOS 26 update. See the official iOS iPadOS 26.4 release notes for more details.
Background
- Apple first added RCS support to iPhone with iOS 18.1, bringing features such as typing indicators and read receipts to messaging between iPhone and Android users.
- In March 2025, Apple announced plans to add end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messages.