The latest test version of iOS 26.5 includes a changelog about bringing some new security to Text. The smartphone operating system will introduce end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between Apple and Android devices. “End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time,” Apple’s official words said. The setting will be on by default, but Apple device owners running iOS 26.5 can confirm it in Settings under the RCS Messaging menu of the Messages section.
according to 9to5GoogleA lock icon will appear in iPhone users’ Messages app when chats on Android devices are taking advantage of encryption. On the Android side, Google Messages chats on iOS devices will look the same as they do when sending a message to another user (or users) with encrypted RCS.
Apple added the option for RCS messaging as part of iOS 18. The GSM association, which operates the RCS protocol, added support for E2EE among operating systems last year. At the time, Apple said it would bring the additional security layer “in a future software update,” which has finally arrived. The tech company began testing this technology in February as part of iOS 26.4, although Apple specified that it did not plan to officially roll out the encryption feature with that launch. More security to keep communications private is always a good thing to see, so this is a welcome addition to what might otherwise be a more incremental iOS 26.5 update.
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