Texting between Android and iPhone users has always felt oddly stuck in the past. Sure, RCS added nicer features like typing indicators, better media sharing, and read receipts, but one major thing was missing: proper end-to-end encryption across platforms. That is finally starting to change.
Google says end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging is now rolling out in beta for Android users running the latest version of Google Messages and iPhone users on iOS 26.5 with supported carriers. Once enabled, messages sent between devices cannot be read while traveling between phones.
Android users already had encrypted RCS chats with one another through Google Messages, but conversations with iPhone users remained a weak spot. According to Google, both it and Apple worked with the GSM Association to support the new RCS Universal Profile specifications that enable interoperable end-to-end encryption.
In other words, Apple did participate here, at least to the extent that it adopted the updated RCS standards needed to make this work. That is a pretty notable change considering how long Apple resisted RCS altogether while leaning heavily on iMessage.
Users will know encryption is active when they see a lock icon inside the chat. Google says the feature will automatically expand to both new and existing conversations over time.
This still feels late, honestly. People use texting for sensitive conversations every single day, yet standard SMS has somehow lingered around like ancient technology nobody bothered to replace completely. Apps like Signal and WhatsApp solved this problem years ago, but native texting between Android and iPhone users remained surprisingly exposed.
There is also a little irony in seeing Google and Apple cooperate on messaging after years of green bubble drama and public pressure campaigns. Google practically turned “get Apple to support RCS” into a long running marketing strategy. Now the two companies are finally aligned on making cross platform texting less embarrassing from a security standpoint.
The rollout is currently limited and still labeled beta, so some users may not see encrypted chats immediately. Carrier support also matters. Still, the writing is on the wall: the days of insecure texting between Android and iPhone users are finally starting to wind down.
