After years of criticism for a closed news ecosystem, Apple is making an important step. The beta version of iOS 26.4 has introduced support for full end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS in conversations between iPhone and Android. This is the first clear signal that communication between the two largest mobile platforms is beginning to meet contemporary security standards.
RCS with real encryption
The new feature is based on the RCS 3.0 standard developed by GSMA. In practice, this means that the message is encrypted on the sender's device and decrypted only at the recipient's end. Operators, manufacturers, and intermediaries do not have access to the content of the conversation. Until now, Apple had tested RCS encryption exclusively in iPhone-to-iPhone communication with iMessage turned off. Now Android comes into play, which significantly increases the sense of the entire solution. On the Android side, it is required to use the beta version of the Google Messages app. iPhone users, in turn, must install the developer beta of iOS and activate the "End-to-End Encryption (Beta)" option in the RCS settings.
End of the technological divide?
The system clearly shows when a conversation is secure. During the conversation, an RCS indicator appears with a padlock icon and information about encryption. This level of security is similar to that offered by messaging apps such as Signal or WhatsApp. However, Apple notes that the feature is in testing and will not be included in the stable version of the system with iOS 26.4. Full deployment is expected in one of the upcoming updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. This is a real bridging of two worlds. For years, communication between iOS and Android has been technologically limited and lacking modern security measures. Encrypted RCS could finally make cross-platform messaging a non-compromise. For users, this means fewer reasons to install additional apps just to securely exchange private content.
Apple is testing RCS encryption between iPhone and Android, and this could be one of the most important changes in mobile communication in years. If the feature makes it to the stable version of the system, the divide between "blue" and "green" message bubbles will begin to lose significance.
Source: Spider’s Web
