Google and Apple have begun rolling out end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users, with the feature appearing first for some users on iOS 26.5 beta and the latest Google Messages app. [1, 2]
The encrypted chats are meant to make cross-platform messages harder for third parties to read in transit. Google said users will see the same lock icon they know from encrypted RCS chats on Android when a conversation is protected. [3, 1, 2]
Until now, Google Messages already used end-to-end encryption for Android-to-Android chats, while cross-platform RCS messages had a security gap. Apple added RCS support to iPhone to bring high-resolution photos, read receipts, typing indicators and group chats to conversations with Android users, but message content was not fully end-to-end encrypted before this rollout. [3, 1, 4]
Google said the feature had started rolling out as a beta to iPhone users on iOS 26.5 and to Android users on the latest version of Google Messages, with carrier support also required. Other reports said it was formally enabled on Tuesday, reflecting a staged launch rather than a universal switch-on. [1, 2]
The protection does not cover every RCS message. Business RCS messages still rely mainly on transport encryption, and availability depends on the operating system, app version and carrier support, so not every chat or user will get the feature at once. [1, 4]
Apple has described end-to-end encryption as the "gold standard" for messaging security. [2]
