VERIFIEDBy Xavier Rivera· ·1.5 min read
Apple Confirms RCS End-to-End Encryption in iOS 26.5 Messages App
Apple has confirmed that iOS 26.5 will add end-to-end encryption to RCS messaging in the Messages app. This will make cross-platform conversations between iPhone and Android users more secure and private.
Source:9to5Mac
TL;DRAI · 60 sec read
Apple has confirmed that the iOS 26.5 update will bring a key RCS upgrade to the Messages app. The confirmation is detailed in the official release notes that accompany the release candidate. The release candidate for iOS 26.5 is available now.
This means that RCS messaging will now be more secure and private than ever. Per the release notes, the update adds end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta form. This is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time.
RCS messaging is the best way for iPhones to message with Androids. It brings several iMessage-style features to your green bubble conversations.
The end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging was offered in the iOS 26.5 beta. It was also featured in iOS 26.4’s beta before later being removed pre-launch. No cautionary note was given during the iOS 26.5 beta. Such a warning was given during iOS 26.4’s beta. This led to the expectation that Apple planned to ship the feature in iOS 26.5.
Ahead of iOS 26.5’s public launch, which is likely next week, Apple plans to list carriers that support RCS end-to-end encryption on a webpage. The info is not yet available.
End-to-end encryption for RCS is still labeled a beta. But it will be available in the final shipping version of iOS 26.5.
The official confirmation from Apple provides clarity on the feature after its testing in the beta versions.
Apple has confirmed that the update will bring a key RCS upgrade to the Messages app through the release notes. The end-to-end encryption is part of this upgrade for the Messages app.
This means that RCS messaging will now be more secure and private than ever. Per the release notes, the update adds end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta form. This is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time.
RCS messaging is the best way for iPhones to message with Androids. It brings several iMessage-style features to your green bubble conversations.
The end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging was offered in the iOS 26.5 beta. It was also featured in iOS 26.4’s beta before later being removed pre-launch. No cautionary note was given during the iOS 26.5 beta. Such a warning was given during iOS 26.4’s beta. This led to the expectation that Apple planned to ship the feature in iOS 26.5.
Ahead of iOS 26.5’s public launch, which is likely next week, Apple plans to list carriers that support RCS end-to-end encryption on a webpage. The info is not yet available.
End-to-end encryption for RCS is still labeled a beta. But it will be available in the final shipping version of iOS 26.5.
The official confirmation from Apple provides clarity on the feature after its testing in the beta versions.
Apple has confirmed that the update will bring a key RCS upgrade to the Messages app through the release notes. The end-to-end encryption is part of this upgrade for the Messages app.
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