Apple begins testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on iPhone
Apple has finally begun testing the implementation of end-to-end encryption for its mobile phone number-based messaging service,
iOS & iPadOS 26.4 Beta Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-26_4-release-notes
Apple starts testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on iPhone | The Verge
https://www.theverge.com/tech/879792/apple-iphone-android-rcs-messages-end-to-end-encrypted
Apple announced support for RCS in November 2023, and RCS became available in iOS 18, released in September 2024. However, at this time, RCS did not implement end-to-end encryption between different operating systems. This meant that end-to-end encrypted messages could not be exchanged between iPhone and Android.
'RCS,' which allows you to send high-resolution images between Android and iPhone and display a mark while typing text, has finally been implemented in iOS 18, and we will focus on introducing end-to-end encryption in the future - GIGAZINE
Then, in March 2025, the GSMA , which develops the RCS specifications, announced a new specification called ' Universal Profile 3.0 ,' revealing that it would add features such as MLS , a security layer for end-to-end encrypted messages.
In line with this, Apple has also announced that it is working to support end-to-end encrypted RCS messages on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
On Monday, February 16, 2026, Apple released the developer beta of iOS 26.4 , which includes testing of end-to-end encrypted RCS messages.
The release notes for iOS 26.4 beta describe end-to-end encrypted RCS messages as a new messaging-related feature, stating: 'End-to-end encrypted RCS is available for testing in iOS 26.4 beta. This feature is not available in this release and will be made available to users in a future software update for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. End-to-end encrypted RCS is a beta feature and is not available on all devices or carriers. Conversations marked 'Encrypted' are end-to-end encrypted, meaning messages sent between devices cannot be read. In this beta, end-to-end encrypted RCS is only available for messaging between Apple devices and is not yet available on other platforms.'
iOS & iPadOS 26.4 Beta Release Notes | Apple Developer Documentation
https://developer.apple.com/documentation/ios-ipados-release-notes/ios-ipados-26_4-release-notes
Once end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging is officially implemented, iPhone and Android users will be able to exchange messages with end-to-end encryption.
However, the iOS 26.4 beta only tests end-to-end encrypted RCS messages between Apple devices. Apple notes that 'we are not yet able to test on other platforms,' so it's unclear when communication with Android will be possible. Apple also explains that it has no plans to include end-to-end encrypted RCS messages in iOS 26.4.
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in Software, Smartphone, Posted by logu_ii