RCS Messages Between iPhone and Android Get End-to-End Encryption With iOS 26.5

Apple and Google have begun rolling out end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices — a historic privacy upgrade that closes the last major security gap in cross-platform texting. The encryption is available now in beta for iOS 26.5 and the latest Android Messages app, ensuring that text conversations between the two ecosystems are as secure as iMessage or WhatsApp.

Apple and Google jointly announced the rollout, marking the first time Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages have been fully encrypted across operating systems. The update applies to one-on-one chats; group RCS encryption is expected later. The feature is enabled by the GSMA’s Universal Profile specification and uses the Signal Protocol, the same proven cryptography behind Signal and WhatsApp.

RCS was introduced to iPhone with iOS 18 in 2024, replacing SMS for richer media and read receipts, but remained unencrypted. Privacy advocates and security researchers had long warned that RCS messages between iPhones and Androids were vulnerable to interception. Apple’s decision to adopt RCS came under pressure from regulators and competitors, but encryption was left for a future update. That future is now.

The rollout begins with iOS 26.5 beta and Google Messages beta. Users on both sides must have the latest beta software to send and receive encrypted RCS chats. Apple says the encryption is on by default; no settings need to be toggled. Google confirmed the same for its Messages app. The encryption covers the message content, not metadata like timestamps or sender/receiver phone numbers. For group chats, end-to-end encryption is being developed by the GSMA and is slated for a later software update.

"End-to-end encryption is a fundamental security feature that users expect," said an Apple spokesperson. "We’re proud to work with Google to bring this to RCS." Google’s VP of Android Security echoed the sentiment: "This is a major step toward making messaging universally private." The implementation uses the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol, an IETF standard designed for group and large-scale encrypted communications.

Industry analysts call this one of the most consequential moves in messaging security since iMessage launched in 2011. "For years, the weakest link in consumer messaging has been the iPhone-to-Android text," said Patrick Moorhead, founder of Moor Insights & Strategy. "Now that link is encrypted. This sets a new baseline for what users should expect from any messaging platform." The timing is critical: regulators worldwide, especially in Europe and the US, are pushing for stronger encryption while also demanding platform interoperability.

The beta rollout will expand to stable releases in the coming weeks. Apple and Google encourage users to update to the latest betas to test the feature and provide feedback. Once the stable release hits, all RCS messages between iOS 26.5+ and the latest Android Messages will be encrypted by default. Group encryption and support for richer features like reactions and replies are expected in subsequent updates. For the billions of users who text across platforms, this update delivers something long overdue: peace of mind.