Google and Apple are testing the encryption of RCS messages on Android and iOS platforms 26.4

Google and Apple launch testing of encrypted RCS messages

*What’s happening?*

As part of a new experiment, the companies announced the start of testing end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messages between Android and iOS devices. This will protect message exchanges so that only the sender and recipient can read them.

How it looks in apps

Platform | What the user sees
iOS | In “Messages,” RCS messages are marked with a special label indicating encryption. When exchanging with other iPhone users, a lock icon also appears.
Android | The same: a lock icon shows up in chat when communicating with other Android devices.

History of RCS implementation at Apple

- 2024, iOS 18 – first RCS support. Users received typing indicators, read receipts, and the ability to send multimedia content.
- In March last year, the company announced plans to add end‑to‑end encryption to RCS.

How to participate in the test

1. On iPhone
- Install beta version `iOS 26.4 beta 2`.
- The carrier must support this feature.
- Go to “Settings” → “Messages” → “RCS messages” and enable “End‑to‑end encryption.”

2. On Android
- Install the latest beta version of Google Messages.

When it will become more widely available

It is planned that broader availability of encrypted RCS messages will begin with the next iOS 26 update.