After years of anticipation, Apple’s latest iOS 26.5 update finally enables end-to-end encryption for Rich Communication Services (RCS) between iPhones and Android devices. This means your everyday cross-platform chats in Apple Messages and Google Messages can now be as private as encrypted messaging apps, as long as your carrier supports it. Below, we break down the key details, limitations, and what you need to know to start using this new feature.
1. What exactly did Apple release with iOS 26.5?
Apple rolled out iOS 26.5, which introduces native support for end-to-end encryption in Rich Communication Services (RCS). RCS is the modern replacement for SMS, offering features like high-quality media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators. With this update, conversations between Apple’s Messages app and Google Messages on Android can be encrypted by default, provided the user’s mobile carrier supports both RCS and the encryption standard. This fulfills a promise that both Google and Apple made to bring stronger privacy to cross-platform messaging.
2. How does end-to-end encryption work between iPhone and Android chats?
The encryption relies on both Apple and Google adopting the GSMA RCS Universal Profile 3.0 specification, which incorporates the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. MLS is a modern encryption standard designed for group and direct messaging, ensuring that only the participants in the conversation can read the messages. Neither Apple, Google, nor the cellular carriers have the keys to decrypt the content. When the feature is active, you’ll see a lock icon and the word “Encrypted” at the top of your RCS chats. However, keep in mind that metadata—such as who you’re talking to and when—is still collected and stored by the companies.
3. Is this encryption fully rolled out? Why is it still labeled as “beta”?
End-to-end encrypted RCS is currently marked as a beta feature on Apple devices. The reason is that the rollout depends on multiple factors: your mobile carrier must support encrypted RCS, and the Android phone you’re chatting with must be running the most recent version of Google Messages. Until all parties meet these conditions, your conversations won’t be encrypted. Apple provides a list of supported carriers, and you can check your settings to see if encryption is active. If you don’t see the lock icon, your chats are still unencrypted SMS/MMS and should be treated as such.
4. What are the privacy limitations of encrypted RCS compared to Signal?
While this update is a huge step forward, encrypted RCS still has limitations. Metadata (like the time, date, and participants of conversations) is not end-to-end encrypted and can be accessed by both Apple and Google (and potentially carriers). Additionally, if you back up your chats to iCloud or Google Drive, the encryption of those backups varies. On iOS, backups are not encrypted unless you enable Advanced Data Protection. On Android, Google Messages encrypts the text of messages in backups, but not the media files. For truly private conversations—especially those involving sensitive information—apps like Signal remain the superior choice because they encrypt metadata and offer better backup protections.
5. How does this differ from the earlier RCS support Apple added in 2024?
In 2024, Apple began supporting RCS in Messages, which dramatically improved the quality of images and videos shared between iPhones and Android phones, along with features like typing indicators. However, that initial support did not include end-to-end encryption. The iOS 26.5 update adds the crucial encryption layer, meaning your cross-platform chats can now be as secure as conversations within iMessage or Google Messages’ native encrypted chats. It transforms RCS from a usability improvement to a privacy improvement.
6. What do I need to see the encrypted lock icon on my chats?
To verify that your RCS chats are encrypted, both parties must meet these requirements: your iPhone must be running iOS 26.5 or later, your Android friend must have the latest Google Messages app, and both carriers must support RCS encryption (check carrier list). Once all conditions are met, you’ll notice a lock icon and the word “Encrypted” at the top of the conversation window. If the icon isn’t there, assume the chat is unencrypted. Apple and Google advise updating your software and checking with your carrier if you don’t see it.
7. Should I switch from Signal to RCS now?
Not necessarily. While encrypted RCS is a major improvement for everyday, casual cross-platform messaging, it still lacks the metadata encryption, open-source verification, and automatic backup protections that Signal offers. For sensitive conversations—like those about business, health, or personal secrets—Signal remains the better option because it encrypts everything, including metadata, and gives you control over data retention. However, for the millions of users who simply want better privacy in their default messaging apps without installing third-party software, encrypted RCS is a welcome and meaningful upgrade.
List of Supported Carriers
Apple maintains an up-to-date list of carriers that support encrypted RCS under the GSMA Universal Profile 3.0. You can find the official list on Apple’s support page or by visiting your carrier’s website. Major US carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T are expected to support it, but smaller regional providers may take longer.