The most recent check model of iOS 26.5 features a changelog about bringing some new protections to texts. The smartphone working system shall be rolling out end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between Apple and Android gadgets. “Finish-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is on the market with supported carriers and can roll out over time,” is Apple’s official wording concerning the addition. The setting shall be on by default, however Apple system homeowners can affirm it in Settings below the RCS Messaging menu of the Messages part as soon as they’re operating iOS 26.5.
In response to 9to5Google, a lock icon will seem in an iPhone person’s Messages app when chats to an Android system are profiting from the encryption. On the Android facet, the Google Messages chats to iOS gadgets will look the identical approach they do when messaging one other person (or customers) with encrypted RCS.
Apple added the choice for RCS messaging as a part of iOS 18. The GSM Affiliation, which operates the RCS protocol, added help for E2EE between the working techniques final yr. On the time, Apple mentioned it will carry the added safety layer “in future software program updates” that appear to have lastly arrived. The tech firm started testing this tech again in February as a part of iOS 26.4, though Apple specified that it didn’t plan to formally roll out the encryption characteristic with that launch. Extra protections to maintain communications non-public is just about at all times a superb factor to see, in order that’s a welcome addition to what may in any other case be a extra incremental iOS 26.5 replace.
