iOS 26.4 beta adds support for testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging

Source: 9to5Mac

Apple added RCS support to iPhone with iOS 18.1, enabling richer cross‑platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. This included typing indicators, read receipts, and high‑resolution photo and video attachments.

Last March, Apple announced its plans to add support for end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messages.

Now, iOS 26.4 beta 1, which is rolling out today, adds an early way to test end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone.

Note: What’s included in iOS 26.4 is a limited initial test of RCS end‑to‑end encrypted messaging. The feature will not launch as part of the iOS 26.4 update; Apple says it will be available to customers in a future iOS 26 software update.

What’s new in iOS 26.4

• A new toggle in Settings enables support for testing end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging. The toggle is enabled by default, but the capability will gradually roll out to beta users.
• In this initial test, RCS encryption is available only on iPhone‑to‑iPhone messaging (i.e., between iPhone users who have iMessage disabled). Testing with Android devices is not yet possible.
• The Messages app now shows a lock icon in chat threads when RCS encryption is enabled. The lock also appears on all iMessage threads, which have been end‑to‑end encrypted since 2011.

9to5Mac’s Take

It’s important to emphasize that this is just a test of RCS encryption on iPhone. The feature is rolling out gradually to iOS 26.4 beta users and is currently limited to iPhone‑to‑iPhone messaging.

Nevertheless, it represents a significant step toward full support for end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging for all iPhone users in a future iOS 26 update.

Developer release notes

RCS end‑to‑end encryption is now available for testing in this beta. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in a future software update for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. End‑to‑end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end‑to‑end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices. In this beta, RCS encryption is available for testing between Apple devices and is not yet testable with other platforms.
— Apple developer release notes for iOS 26.4

iOS 26.4 is rolling out now to developer beta testers, with a public beta to follow later.