iOS 26.5 enables default E2EE RCS between iPhone and Android

Apple released iOS 26.5 on Monday, enabling end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging by default for iPhone users on supported carriers and for Android users running the latest Google Messages app.

The feature is rolling out in beta and activates automatically for new and existing cross-platform conversations when both ends meet the requirements. Apple and Google say encrypted chats will display a lock or padlock icon to show messages are protected.

RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is an internet-based messaging protocol built on the RCS Universal Profile. It supports high-resolution photos and videos, typing indicators and read receipts — features common in instant messaging apps but not available in standard SMS.

Apple wrote in a statement, “When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.” The company added that users will know a conversation is encrypted when they see a new lock icon in RCS chats. Google noted Android users will see a padlock icon to indicate cross-platform conversations are end-to-end encrypted.

The rollout follows testing in iOS and iPadOS 26.4 beta, where encrypted RCS was initially limited to conversations between Apple devices. The GSM Association announced support for end-to-end encryption for RCS in early 2025 as part of industry work on messaging security.

Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at GSMA, described the development as “the result of close, cross-industry collaboration,” and added that the secure services are delivered on an open, globally recognized foundation.

iOS 26.5 also addresses more than 50 vulnerabilities across iOS and iPadOS. Apple listed fixes affecting AppleJPEG, ImageIO, the kernel, mDNSResponder and WebKit that could lead to information disclosure, denial-of-service or unexpected system termination.

To use encrypted RCS in cross-platform chats, iPhone users must be on iOS 26.5 with a supported carrier and Android users must run the latest Google Messages app. The feature remains in beta while carriers and device makers implement the RCS Universal Profile and related security standards.