Now you can message your mates, securely
As expected, Apple’s work with Google to bring end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging has finally borne fruit, and it means you and your Android-using friends can look forward to proper private conversations.
The two companies began introducing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta last night. This follows years of cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to RCS, which makes the cross-platform messaging format more secure and private.
What this means for Apple users is that end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging has begun rolling out in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages.
The advantages of encryption
- RCS messages that are end-to-end encrypted can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.Â
- You will know if a conversation is end-to-end encrypted when you see a new lock icon in the RCS chats.Â
- Encryption is on by default and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations.
Hats off to Apple. iMessage has always been end-to-end encrypted. “It remains the best way to communicate between Apple devices,” the company said.
You can follow me on social media! Join me on BlueSky, LinkedIn, and Mastodon.
