Apple and Google reached a major milestone in cross-platform security by launching the first public tests of end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messages between iPhones and Android devices.
This development follows the GSMA’s Universal Profile 3.0 standard, which was finalized in early 2025 to replace proprietary encryption methods with a unified, open standard known as Messaging Layer Security (MLS).
How the Test Works
The feature is currently available in limited beta testing. To participate, users must meet specific software requirements:
- iPhone Requirements: You must be running iOS 26.4 Developer Beta 2. A new toggle for “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” has appeared under Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging.
- Android Requirements: You must be enrolled in the Google Messages beta program and have the latest version of the app installed.
- Visual Indicators: * On iPhone: Encrypted chats will display a “Text Message · RCS | [Lock Icon] Encrypted” banner at the top of the conversation.
- On Android: The familiar lock icon will appear on the send button and next to message timestamps, similar to secure Android-to-Android chats.
The “Messaging Layer Security” (MLS) Protocol
The move to MLS is the critical “secret sauce” making this possible. Until now, RCS encryption was fragmented:
- Google’s Version: Google Messages used a proprietary encryption layer that only worked if both users were on Android.
- Apple’s Version: iMessage has been encrypted since 2011 but remained exclusive to Apple hardware.
By adopting Universal Profile 3.0, both companies have agreed on a “neutral” encryption standard. This ensures that even if you are using different apps or hardware, the mathematical “handshake” used to lock your messages is compatible across both systems.
Timeline for Public Rollout
While the testing is a massive step, the feature is not expected to ship in the stable version of iOS 26.4 (slated for March 2026).
Apple’s release notes explicitly state that E2EE for RCS is for testing purposes only and will be available to all customers in a “future iOS 26 update” later this year. Once live, the feature is expected to be enabled by default for all compatible carriers, finally closing the “security gap” for green-bubble conversations.
Feature Comparison: RCS Security (Feb 2026)
| Feature | SMS / MMS | Current RCS (Stable) | RCS (Universal Profile 3.0) |
| Encryption | None | Device-Specific (Proprietary) | End-to-End (MLS Standard) |
| Media Quality | Low (Compressed) | High (Original) | High (Original) |
| Typing Indicators | No | Yes | Yes |
| Read Receipts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cross-Platform | Yes | Yes (No E2EE yet) | Yes (Full E2EE) |
