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2w ago

Apple Begins Testing End-to-End Encrypted RCS in iOS 26.4 Developer Beta

Testing is confined to Apple‑device RCS chats, with broader release coming in a later iOS 26 update subject to carrier readiness.

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Apple RCS messaging support.
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iOS 26.4 developer beta adds RCS encryption testing on iPhone

Overview

  • Apple’s release notes confirm the feature is in beta and will not ship with iOS 26.4, with customer availability planned for a subsequent iOS 26 update across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
  • Cross‑platform trials are not enabled yet, so initial testing effectively applies to iPhone‑to‑iPhone conversations when iMessage is disabled.
  • A new Messages setting for encrypted RCS is present and enabled by default, though access will roll out gradually to beta users and may not appear for everyone immediately.
  • Encrypted RCS threads display a lock icon in Messages, and iMessage threads also show the lock icon for visual parity during the beta.
  • Wider launch depends on carrier support and adoption of the GSMA’s RCS Universal Profile 3.0 built on Messaging Layer Security, whereas Apple currently supports Universal Profile 2.4.