With the developer preview of iOS 26.4, unveiled on Monday, Apple is commencing trials of end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messages. Last year, Apple declared its intention to incorporate this functionality, which, once completely rolled out, will enable iPhone and Android users to exchange encrypted RCS messages between different operating systems.
Nevertheless, during this preliminary deployment, Apple is restricting its RCS encryption trials solely to its own hardware. According to Apple, it is “currently incompatible for testing with non-Apple systems.” Furthermore, the firm does not intend to release E2EE RCS messages with iOS 26.4; instead, Apple states that this functionality will be made generally available in a “subsequent software release.”
While RCS messages markedly enhance the messaging interaction between iPhone and Android devices, inter-device safeguarding has been a crucial omission. In September 2024, the GSM Association, a body that contributes to the development of RCS, revealed its efforts on E2EE messages as a “forthcoming significant advancement” for the RCS Universal Profile. Subsequently, Apple stated in March 2025 that it would incorporate E2EE RCS messages across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS within “forthcoming system updates.”
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