Overview
- Apple, which confirmed the change Monday in iOS 26.5 release notes, will add end-to-end encrypted RCS in Messages as a beta feature.
- Encryption turns on by default, with a Messages setting to disable it and a small lock icon to show secure chats.
- Chats encrypt only when both people use carriers that support the latest RCS, with a rollout over time and an Apple-published carrier list coming before launch.
- The update spans iOS, iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, and watchOS, bringing iPhone–Android texts closer to iMessage-level privacy.
- RCS, a carrier-run upgrade to SMS, gains encryption through the GSMA’s Universal Profile 3.0 built on Messaging Layer Security, which also adds editing, deleting, Tapbacks, and inline replies.