Overview
- Apple and Google announced that cross‑platform encrypted RCS messaging is now live in limited testing.
- Participation requires iOS 26.4 beta 2 on iPhone, the latest Google Messages beta on Android, and carrier support.
- On iPhone, End‑to‑End Encryption (Beta) appears under Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and is enabled by default.
- The feature is built on the GSMA RCS Universal Profile, and encrypted threads are labeled with a lock icon in both apps.
- Apple says encryption testing will not ship in iOS 26.4, with broader availability planned in a later iOS 26 update and typical beta bugs possible.