Apple and Google Usher in End-to-End Encryption for RCS Messaging in iOS 26.5
**Apple** has officially released iOS 26.5, introducing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS) in beta. This update, a collaborative effort with **Google**, aims to provide a more secure alternative to traditional SMS messaging across both iOS and Android platforms.
### RCS with E2EE: A New Standard for Secure Messaging
With the release of iOS 26.5, **Apple** brings E2EE RCS messaging to iPhone users in conjunction with supported carriers and Android users utilizing the latest version of **Google** Messages. The E2EE feature is enabled by default for both new and existing conversations on both platforms.
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a modern, internet-based messaging protocol enabling users to exchange high-resolution media, view typing indicators, and receive read receipts, features commonly found in instant messaging applications. It is based on the **RCS Universal Profile** industry specification.
### How E2EE Works in RCS
"When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can't be read while they're sent between devices," **Apple** stated. Users can verify the encryption status of a conversation by the presence of a lock icon within their RCS chats.
**Apple** initiated testing of E2EE in RCS messages with iOS and iPadOS 26.4 Beta, initially restricting it to conversations between **Apple** devices. Earlier in 2025, the **GSM Association (GSMA)** announced its support for E2EE to secure messages transmitted via the RCS protocol.
### Google's Perspective
Similarly, **Google** has confirmed that **Google** Messages for Android users will also display a padlock icon, indicating that the cross-platform conversation is end-to-end encrypted.
According to Alex Sinclair, chief technology officer at **GSMA**, "This welcome progress is the result of close, cross‑industry collaboration between the **GSMA RCS Working Group**, including **Apple**, **Google**, and the wider mobile ecosystem. Crucially, the new secure services are being delivered on an open, globally recognised foundation."
### Security Updates in iOS and iPadOS
The latest updates also address over 50 vulnerabilities in iOS and iPadOS, including flaws in AppleJPEG, ImageIO, Kernel, mDNSResponder, and WebKit. These vulnerabilities could potentially be exploited to leak sensitive information, trigger denial-of-service (DoS) conditions, or cause unexpected system termination.