iOS 26.5 will add end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between Apple and Android

Source: Engadget

The iOS 26.5 test version adds end‑to‑end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages exchanged between Apple and Android devices. Apple’s official wording states: “End‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time.” The feature is enabled by default, but users can verify it in Settings → Messages → RCS Messaging once iOS 26.5 is installed.

User Experience

• A lock icon appears in the iPhone’s Messages app when a conversation with an Android device is protected by encryption, as reported by 9to5Google.
• On Android, Google Messages displays encrypted RCS chats with iOS users in the same way it does for other RCS conversations, including group chats (Engadget).

Background

• Apple introduced the option to support RCS messaging in iOS 18.
• The GSM Association, which governs the RCS protocol, added support for E2EE between Android and iOS last year (Engadget).
• Apple began testing the encryption feature in February as part of iOS 26.4, but did not plan an official rollout at that time (Apple Developer Release Notes).
• The arrival of this encryption in iOS 26.5 provides an additional layer of privacy for cross‑platform messaging.