iOS 26.4 Beta Tests Fully Encrypted RCS Chats Between iPhone and Android

Apple's iOS 26.4 beta has introduced end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhones and Android phones. The rollout currently targets developers and early adopters on both platforms in line with Apple's earlier promise to support RCS using the GSMA's Universal Profile 3.0 standard, which should make cross‑platform chats smoother and more secure.

In iOS 26.4 beta 2, iPhone owners can activate RCS in the Messages settings, then exchange encrypted RCS chats with Android contacts who run the latest Google Messages beta and have RCS encryption enabled. Don't get your hopes too high; these conversations will still use the dreaded green bubbles, but Apple now adds a lock icon and an "Encrypted" label in the thread header to make its security status clear.

The new RCS improves chat experiences, and it now has higher-quality media, typing indicators, and even read receipts, which ...