Apple has finally started rolling out end-to-end encryption (E2EE) RCS messaging with the stable iOS 26.5 update. The feature arrives months after the GSM Association announced support for encryption under the latest RCS Universal Profile Standards. It finally closes one of the biggest gaps between Apple's iMessage and Google's Messages platform.
iPhone and Android Chats Finally Get the Security Upgrade Users Have Wanted for Years
With the new iOS 26.5 update, RCS chats between supported iPhones and Android phones can now be protected with end-to-end encryption. This ensures that messages, photos, videos and other shared content remain unreadable to third parties during transit. Users will notice a new lock icon and "Encrypted" label inside compatible RCS conversations once the feature becomes active.
The rollout is currently happening in beta form for iPhones running iOS 26.5 and Android devices using the latest version of Google Messages. Availability may still depend on carrier support, meaning not every user will see RCS chats immediately.
This encrypted RCS messaging update is particularly significant because, until now, conversations between iPhone and Android users lacked the same level of protection available inside iMessage chats.
While Apple introduced RCS support with iOS 18-era updates, those conversations were still not fully encrypted across platforms. Google had long pushed Apple to adopt modern messaging standards through its "Get the Message" campaign and the addition of E2EE support is finally a major milestone towards that.
Apart from encrypted RCS messaging, iOS 26.5 introduces a handful of other additions. Apple Map is getting smarter with a new "Suggested Places" feature that recommends locations based on user activity, search trends, etc. Meanwhile, a fresh Pride Luminance wallpaper joins the update as part of Apple's latest Pride collection.
Apple says the encrypted RCS rollout will expand gradually over the coming weeks as more carriers and iPhones get compatibility. Users can download the latest iOS 26.5 stable update by heading to Settings -> General -> Software Update on supported iPhones.
