iOS 26.5 is out, bringing encrypted RCS messaging to iPhone and Android users

Apple is bringing long-awaited end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging between iPhone and Android users in iOS 26.5. The feature is launching in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 on supported carriers and Android users using the latest version of Google Messages. “When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices,” Apple said.