Apple Begins Testing End-to-End Encryption for RCS Messages in iOS 26.4 Beta

Apple is investigating unafraid messaging betwixt Android and iOS devices with iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and macOS Tahoe 26.4. The updates present end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages, a information diagnostic that is not presently disposable for cross-platform messaging.


Apple has been moving with the GSM Association to instrumentality E2EE for ‌RCS‌ messages. iMessage, the messaging protocol for sending texts betwixt iPhones, has agelong supported end-to-end encryption. ‌RCS‌ messages betwixt Android devices person besides featured E2EE, but determination was nary afloat encryption for Android to iPhone (or vice versa) communications. With the summation of E2EE for ‌RCS‌, messages betwixt ‌iPhone‌ users and Android users volition yet beryllium conscionable arsenic unafraid arsenic iMessage.

Messages sent by ‌RCS‌ that person end-to-end encryption volition diagnostic a fastener icon successful the speech interface. Carriers volition request to adhd enactment for encryption, truthful it whitethorn instrumentality immoderate clip for E2EE to rotation retired to each ‌iPhone‌ and Android users. In iOS 26.4, Apple is investigating iPhone-to-iPhone ‌RCS‌ encryption, and users volition spot a toggle for the diagnostic successful the Messages conception of the Settings app. ‌RCS‌ encryption is connected by default.

iMessages volition besides show a fastener icon for diagnostic parity successful iOS 26.4.

E2EE for ‌RCS‌ volition necessitate Apple to update to ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 3.0, which the GSMA published with Apple's input. Apple presently supports ‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 2.4.

‌RCS‌ Universal Profile 3.0 volition besides adhd features for editing substance messages, deleting substance messages, and replying to circumstantial messages inline during cross-platform conversations.

Apple released the archetypal betas of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and ‌macOS Tahoe‌ 26.4 today, with the updates disposable for developers. Apple plans to motorboat the updates successful the spring, but portion E2EE is successful testing, the afloat functionality is not expected until a aboriginal iOS 26 update.
This article, "Apple Begins Testing End-to-End Encryption for RCS Messages successful iOS 26.4 Beta" archetypal appeared connected MacRumors.com

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