End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is coming in iOS 26.5, Apple confirmed today. The feature is listed in Apple’s iOS 26.5 release notes.
Apple says end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging remains in beta even though it is released in iOS 26.5. The feature is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time, and for conversations to be encrypted, both the recipient and sender must use a carrier that supports the latest version of RCS.
End-to-end encryption is enabled by default and there is an option in the Messages section of the Settings app. Encrypted messages are marked with a small padlock symbol.
E2EE testing for RCS began in iOS 26.4, but Apple did not launch the feature in the iOS 26.4 update. It returned in the iOS 26.5 beta and was available throughout the beta testing process.
E2EE means that messages sent between devices cannot be intercepted and read by a third party. For now, RCS messages sent between Android and iPhone users don’t have E2EE, but iOS 26.5, iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, and watchOS 26.5 will put Android/iPhone conversations on par with encrypted iPhone-to-iPhone conversations via iMessage.
Apple worked with the GSM Association to implement E2EE for RCS messages. E2EE is part of the RCS Universal Profile 3.0, released with help from Apple and built on the Messaging Layer Security protocol. RCS Universal Profile 3.0 also includes editing and deleting messages, cross-platform Tapback support, and replying to specific messages online during cross-platform conversations.