Apple and Google begin rolling out end-to-end encrypted RCS beta across platforms

End-to-end encrypted Apple and Google RCS messaging is rolling out in beta after an effort by Apple and Google to improve secure texting.

The update brings encryption to RCS, which replaces SMS and lets users send messages more privately across different devices.

The feature is becoming available to iPhone users who operate iOS 26.5 and to Android users who use Google Messages through their supported carriers. A lock icon will appear in chats to show when encryption is active for end-to-end protected conversations at all times.

Apple says iMessage remains fully encrypted by default and is still the safest way to chat between Apple devices users.

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