Apple and Google to support interoperability of encrypted “RCS” messages in iOS 26.5

Apple has rolled out iOS 26.5 with beta support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in the iPhone Messages app.

The feature works with the latest Google Messages app on Android and applies by default to new and existing RCS chats on supported carriers.

Google and GSMA are helping expand the rollout gradually, bringing a major privacy upgrade to cross-platform texting.

Apple says iMessage remains fully end-to-end encrypted and is still its preferred option for Apple-to-Apple communication.