Apple’s newest iOS 26.4 beta is now accessible for iPhone homeowners, with an added perk for RCS messaging – end-to-end encryption. However, sadly, that doesn’t work with Android but.
Inside the changelog of the iOS 26.4 beta, Apple particulars that it’s now testing end-to-end encryption in RCS messaging on iPhone. The characteristic is “not transport on this launch,” however will probably be coming later for sure gadgets and carriers.
Apple explains:
RCS end-to-end encryption is now accessible for testing on this beta. This characteristic just isn’t transport on this launch and will probably be accessible to prospects in a future software program replace for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. Finish-to-end encryption is in beta and isn’t accessible for all gadgets or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be learn whereas they’re despatched between gadgets. On this beta, RCS encryption is accessible for testing between Apple gadgets and isn’t but testable with different platforms.
It’s that final bit that’s necessary to notice, although.
Whereas Apple is testing encryption for RCS messages, it’s not supporting Android throughout this check. It doesn’t seem to be that’s off the desk, as Apple says it’s “not but testable,” however both means, we’ll be ready a bit longer for it to reach. It’s fascinating, although, seeing as RCS is primarily used for iPhone-to-Android communication, as iPhone customers typically make the most of iMessage with SMS as a fallback.
Notably, a scarcity of encryption was one of many key excuses used main as much as Apple’s overdue adoption of RCS on the iPhone, with Apple even straight calling out the dearth of assist when it did announce assist in 2023. In 2024, Google confirmed that encryption between RCS messages on iPhone and Android was within the pipeline, and it was a couple of yr in the past that the GSMA – the group answerable for the RCS customary – introduced end-to-end encryption as part of the usual. Google first added its personal end-to-end encryption on prime of RCS again in 2020, with plans to undertake the brand new customary sooner or later.
You’ll be able to study extra about what’s new within the iOS 26.4 beta from our sister web site, 9to5Mac:
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