Apple Starts Testing Encrypted RCS on iOS
  • Posted byby Kellen

Apple Starts Testing Encrypted RCS on iOS

Apple released a new iOS 26.4 beta this week and it brings the RCS feature we’ve all been waiting for. After code diggers discovered that encryption was in the works for RCS on iOS, Apple has gone ahead and pushed an initial test for it live in this new beta.

iOS 26.4 beta is out (here) for iOS and iPadOS and there is a section called “Messages” that dives into what’s new. Apple says the following is a new feature:

RCS end-to-end encryption is now available for testing in this beta. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in a future software update for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices. In this beta, RCS encryption is available for testing between Apple devices and is not yet testable with other platforms.

If you read that, you’ll see that Apple has indeed brought end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS on its own platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. However, they are clear that this is in beta, is for “testing,” and currently only works between Apple devices. It is “not yet testable with other platforms.” In other words, encryption in RCS might be here, but not for Apple-to-Android messages. For now, Apple is testing this on its own platforms before rolling it out further.

What does that mean for all of you on Android who are hoping that your RCS messages will be end-to-end encrypted? Just give it some more time. The fact that Apple has added it to the latest iOS and iPadOS betas means it’ll be here soon enough. The plan, as we know from several reports, is for Apple to push encryption live on RCS, so that messaging between platforms will be more secure.

Written by

Kellen

It’s not often that you get to merge personal passions into a professional life, but that’s what Kellen did when he launched Droid Life in 2009. After working years of unsatisfying jobs in the medical and property management fields, he took a risk to try and create an online community while playing with the coolest gadgets on the planet each day, a risk that has turned out to be incredibly rewarding. Outside of Droid Life, Kellen is your typical Portlander who drinks way too much good beer, complains often about the Trail Blazers, and can be found out on the streets for a run, rain or shine.

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6 Comments

  • But will they fix the failed to send issue in iOS when RCS messaging Android phones? Everyone with an iPhone who messages me gets the error.

  • no sense being ios devices only because ios to ios is iMessage so doesn't use rcs unless im missing something

  • Absolutely no reason why any messaging platform is not end-to-end encrypted in 2026. No company, service provider, hacker, or government agency deserves to read personal messages between two parties.

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