Apple has started testing end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices with iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 2, marking the first public step towards securing cross-platform RCS conversations.

Apple has confirmed that RCS end-to-end encryption is now testable between Apple and Android devices in the developer beta version. This feature utilizes the GSMA’s RCS Universal Profile 3.0 standard to provide encrypted communication across different clients and is integrated with Messaging Layer Security (MLS).

Apple also adds that this feature is currently in beta and will not be available in the current release. End-to-end encryption for RCS will be made available to users in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 updates.

Closing the Encryption Gap Between Apple and Android

Apple-to-Apple iMessage conversations are protected by Apple’s PQ3 encryption protocol. On Android, RCS messages sent via Google Messages are encrypted using the Signal protocol for Android-to-Android chats.

Until now, RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users were not end-to-end encrypted. The new implementation aims to close this gap.

Apple states that conversations labeled as encrypted are protected end-to-end and that these messages cannot be read during transmission between devices.

However, the company also clarifies the following:

  • End-to-end encryption will not be available on all Apple devices.
  • The feature will initially be supported only by certain carriers.
  • This capability is still in beta and is not enabled for all users.

How to Test the New RCS Encryption Feature

Developers running iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 2 can manually enable the feature:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Messages.
  3. Tap on RCS Messaging.
  4. Enable End-to-End Encryption (Beta).

On the Android side, users need to be enrolled in the Google Messages beta program to establish encrypted RCS communication using the updated protocol.

Apple has noted that this feature is currently for testing purposes only and is not included in the public release.

Availability of RCS Encryption from Apple to Android

End-to-end encryption for RCS from Apple to Android is currently limited to developer beta versions. Apple has not provided a specific timeline for the stable release; it has only indicated that it will be included in a future version of iOS 26 and related platform updates.