Apple’s Next iOS Update Could Bring End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging Between iPhone and Android

 

Apple Advances Toward Encrypted RCS Messaging Between iPhone and Android

Apple appears to be preparing a significant upgrade to cross-platform messaging that could improve privacy for millions of users worldwide. An upcoming iOS update may allow end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages sent between iPhones and Android devices.

Early indications of this development were spotted in a recent iOS beta, where internal code references suggest support for encrypted RCS messaging at the carrier level. This signals a potential shift from the current setup, in which RCS messages are protected only while being transmitted but are not fully encrypted from sender to recipient.

Why This Matters

RCS has been positioned as the modern replacement for SMS, offering features such as read receipts, typing indicators, and higher-quality media sharing. Apple added RCS support in a previous iOS release, improving communication between iPhone and Android users. However, unlike Apple’s iMessage, RCS conversations across platforms have lacked full end-to-end encryption.

If implemented, E2EE would ensure that only the sender and recipient can read message content. Neither network providers nor platform companies would have access to the messages, significantly enhancing user privacy and security.

Carrier Support Is Key

The rollout of encrypted RCS messaging will depend heavily on mobile carriers. Initial signs suggest that a small number of European carriers already have the necessary infrastructure enabled, pointing to a limited regional rollout or testing phase before broader global adoption.

Apple has not officially announced a timeline or confirmed the feature, but the presence of encryption-related settings in beta software suggests active development.

A Step Toward Safer Cross-Platform Messaging

As privacy concerns continue to shape consumer expectations, encrypted RCS messaging could help narrow the security gap between iMessage and Android messaging platforms. If widely adopted, the feature would mark an important step toward safer, more private communication across mobile ecosystems.

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