The topic Encrypted RCS between Android and iPhone launching with iOS 26.5 is currently the subject of lively discussion — readers and analysts are keeping a close eye on developments.
This is taking place in a dynamic environment: companies’ decisions and competitors’ reactions can quickly change the picture.
With the upcoming launch of iOS 26.5, Apple will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between the iPhone and Google Messages on Android.
Apple today made available the release candidate of iOS 26.5 to developers and public testers. The changelog has the following entry: “End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time.”
This capability has been in testing since February. Part of the RCS Universal Profile from the GSMA, messages between Android and iOS users cannot be read by anyone else as they are sent between phones.
Once available, the iPhone Messages app will display “Text Message · RCS | [lock icon] Encrypted” at the center of conversations with Android users.
On Google Messages, it will be the same lock icon, just like conversations with Android users.
Go to iOS Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and make sure “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” is enabled. (It is toggled on by default.) Android phones must be running the latest version of Google Messages.