Apple Releases E2EE RCS Messaging in iOS Beta

In a significant cross-platform security upgrade, Apple officially released iOS 26.5 with beta support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on May 12, 2026, marking a collaborative industry push to replace less secure SMS. Consequently, this feature, which shows a lock icon in chats, is now available for iPhone users with supported carriers and Android users on the latest Google Messages.

The RCS protocol, built on an industry specification called the RCS Universal Profile, offers modern messaging features like high-resolution media sharing and read receipts. Meanwhile, Google confirmed its Messages app will display a padlock icon to signify encrypted cross-platform conversations.

This development stems from a “cross-industry effort” coordinated by the GSMA RCS Working Group. Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at GSMA, stated the progress resulted from “close, cross‑industry collaboration between the GSMA RCS Working Group, including Apple, Google, and the wider mobile ecosystem.” However, the update also includes critical security patches for over 50 vulnerabilities in components like AppleJPEG and WebKit.

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