Apple is finally testing RCS encryption, but there’s a catch for Android users

The long-awaited bridge between iPhone and Android security is finally starting to take shape, but for now, Apple is keeping the process limited to its own system.

With the first developer beta of iOS 26.4 rolling out this week, Apple has quietly activated early support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in RCS (Rich Communication Services) within its Messages app. This is a big step because it brings Apple’s phone-number-based texting up to the same security level as Google’s RCS and Apple’s iMessage.

We first saw signs of this with the release of iOS 26.3 Beta 2, in which Apple added a new setting that would let carriers turn on encryption for RCS for secure communication between iPhone and Android. However, right now, that encryption only works between iPhones. You can turn on RCS E2EE in Settings and see the new padlock icon in chats, but it does not secure texts with Android devices yet.

Since iOS 18.1, RCS has helped Apple offer richer, non-iMessage texting, including typing indicators, read receipts, and higher-quality media for green bubble chats. However, one major feature was missing: cross-platform encryption. Android devices have had secure RCS chats for some time, but Apple’s first version did not include end-to-end protection outside its own system.

This is partly because RCS encryption depends on RCS Universal Profile 3.0, a newer standard that includes E2EE and other modern messaging features. When Apple first introduced RCS on iPhone, it used version 2.4, which did not have these protections.

With iOS 26.4, Apple is not fully launching the feature yet. Instead, it is starting to test encryption. The new toggle in Settings is on by default for developers and allows compatible carriers and devices to try out E2EE. Even with the switch turned on, you will only get encrypted chats with other iPhone users who have iMessage turned off.

Apple says RCS E2EE will not be released to the public with iOS 26.4, but will come in a future software release for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. This may be disappointing for those hoping for secure Apple-to-Android texting soon, but it is still progress.