With the current release of iOS 26.5, Apple has started rolling out beta support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging. As with all things RCS, you and the recipient of your messages must meet certain basic requirements before your messages are secure in transit.
First, you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 26.5 connected to a wireless network that supports E2E encrypted messaging over RCS. You can find the full list of compatible networks on Apple’s website. In the US, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are all set to support the protocol on day one. As for your Android friends, they’ll need the latest version of Google Messages, running on a device connected to a compatible network.
On an iPhone, if you see a new lock icon at the top of your RCS chats, the conversation you’re in is secure. “Encryption is enabled by default and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations,” Apple notes. For communication between different Apple devices, Apple will continue to route messages through its own iMessage protocol.
As is usually the case, Apple also dropped updates for iPadOS, macOS Tahoe and watchOS, which also reached version 26.5. There aren’t many standout features this time around; The main thing to note, besides the encrypted RCS, is a new “suggested places” in Maps that highlights places you might be interested in based on recent searches and trends near you. There is also a new Pride-themed “Luminance” wallpaper, which is very pretty, colorful and customizable.
While I’m sure there will still be a few quirks for Apple and Google to iron out, today’s release effectively ends our long-running RCS nightmare. Green chat bubbles (and their associated stigma) may remain, but at least iOS and Android users can finally chat with each other securely without turning to a third-party app like Signal or WhatsApp. It may have taken years, a lobbying campaign of questionable value, and pressure from Chinese regulators, but we got there.
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