Apple Introduces End-to-End Encryption for RCS Messaging Between iPhone and Android Users in iOS 26.5 Beta

Apple has introduced end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging between iPhone and Android users in iOS 26.5, currently available in beta. The feature requires iPhone users to run iOS 26.5 on supported carriers and Android users to use the latest version of Google Messages. Encrypted RCS messages cannot be read while in transit between devices, with visual indicators confirming E2EE status. The update marks Apple’s implementation of encrypted cross-platform messaging, though no specific release date beyond the beta phase was provided.