iOS 26.5 Beta: RCS end-to-end testing between iPhone and Android is running again
Apple tested end-to-end (E2EE) encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users in the iOS 26.4 Beta, but clarified that this functionality would not be included in the iOS 26.4 update.
E2EE encryption for RCS was removed prior to the release of iOS 26.4, but is available again in the beta version of iOS 26.5 as Apple continues to test it.
iOS 26.5 brings back E2EE
In the Messages section of the Settings app, the option for end-to-end encryption is once again located under the RCS options and is enabled by default, as before.
End-to-end encryption ensures that messages exchanged between devices cannot be intercepted and read by third parties. Currently, RCS messages between Android and iPhone users do not have end-to-end encryption, while RCS messages between Android users do. iMessages between iPhone users have always been end-to-end encrypted.
End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers in iOS 26.5. Encrypted conversations are indicated by a lock icon.
