Overview
- Cross‑platform end‑to‑end encryption is live in testing with iOS 26.4 developer beta 2 and the Google Messages beta.
- Encrypted threads show a lock icon on both platforms, while iMessage remains blue and Android RCS messages remain green.
- The implementation follows the GSMA's Universal Profile 3.0 using the Messaging Layer Security protocol.
- Availability is limited by carrier and device support, and Apple warns of potential delivery issues during the beta.
- Apple says encrypted RCS will not ship in the public iOS 26.4 release and will arrive in a future iOS 26 update, with default enablement expected.