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Apple and Google Begin Testing End-to-End Encrypted RCS Between iPhone and Android

Access is limited to developer betas on supported carriers, with public release slated for a later iOS 26 build.

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Overview

  • Both companies confirmed a coordinated beta of encrypted RCS chats that work across iPhone and Android for the first time.
  • Participation requires iOS 26.4 developer beta 2 with the End-to-End Encryption (Beta) setting and the latest Google Messages beta on Android.
  • Availability depends on carrier and device support during testing, and users should expect potential delivery issues and other bugs.
  • Encrypted threads display a lock icon and explicit encryption label in Apple’s Messages and Google Messages to signal security status.
  • Apple says the feature will not ship in iOS 26.4 and will arrive in a later iOS 26 update, using the GSMA Universal Profile 3.0 based on the MLS protocol.