Apple Begins Rolling Out End to End Encrypted RCS Messaging

Apple today announced that end to end encrypted RCS messaging is beginning to roll out in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5, putting cross platform conversations with Android devices on closer footing with iMessage on the security front.

The feature is the result of a cross industry effort led by Apple and Google, and it requires support from both the sender's and receiver's carriers. iPhone users will need iOS 26.5, while Android users will need the latest version of Google Messages.

How it works

When an RCS conversation is end to end encrypted, the messages cannot be read while they are being sent between devices. A new lock icon appears at the top of the thread to indicate that encryption is active. Encryption is on by default and will turn on automatically over time for new and existing RCS conversations.

The setting can be toggled on or off in Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging, under a new "End to End Encryption (Beta)" option.

Carrier and protocol details

Apple notes that the feature is technically still in beta despite launching alongside iOS 26.5, and it will roll out gradually over the coming months. Both participants in a conversation need to be on carriers that support the latest version of RCS. Apple maintains a list of supported carriers that will expand over time.

Apple worked alongside Google and the GSM Association to implement the new encryption standard. According to MacRumors, the feature is part of the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 specification and is built on the Messaging Layer Security protocol.

Background

Apple first added RCS support to the iPhone with iOS 18, enabling features like typing indicators, read receipts, and higher resolution photo and video attachments in conversations with Android users. Those messages were not end to end encrypted at the time.

The company first announced its intention to support encryption for RCS in March 2025. Beta testing of the feature began in iOS 26.4 in February, initially in a limited capacity, and continued throughout the iOS 26.5 beta cycle.

Apple emphasized in its announcement that iMessage has always been end to end encrypted, and the company continues to describe it as the best way to communicate between Apple devices.

iOS 26.5 is available today as a free software update on supported iPhones via Settings > General > Software Update. iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 were also released today.

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