Apple is finally testing RCS encryption, but there's a catch for Android users. The tech giant has started testing end-to-end encrypted RCS in the first iOS 26.4 developer beta, marking a significant step towards enhancing the security of phone-number-based texting. However, there's a catch: RCS encryption currently works only between iPhones, not between iPhone and Android. Apple says full RCS E2EE will arrive in a future software update across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. With the first developer beta of iOS 26.4, Apple has quietly activated early support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in RCS within its Messages app, bringing it on par with Google's RCS and Apple's iMessage in terms of security. This development was first hinted at with the release of iOS 26.3 Beta 2, where Apple added a new setting to enable encryption for RCS between iPhone and Android. However, at the moment, this encryption only works between iPhones. Users can enable RCS E2EE in Settings and see the new padlock icon in chats, but it does not secure texts with Android devices yet. Since iOS 18.1, RCS has helped Apple offer richer, non-iMessage texting features like typing indicators, read receipts, and higher-quality media for green bubble chats. Yet, one major feature was missing: cross-platform encryption. Android devices have had secure RCS chats for some time, but Apple's initial version lacked end-to-end protection outside its own system. This is partly because RCS encryption relies on RCS Universal Profile 3.0, a newer standard that includes E2EE and other modern messaging features. With iOS 26.4, Apple is not fully launching the feature yet. Instead, it is starting to test encryption. The new toggle in Settings is on by default for developers and allows compatible carriers and devices to try out E2EE. Even with the switch turned on, you will only get encrypted chats with other iPhone users who have iMessage turned off. Apple states that RCS E2EE will not be released to the public with iOS 26.4, but will come in a future software release for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. This may be disappointing for those hoping for secure Apple-to-Android texting soon, but it is still progress. So, while Apple is making strides in RCS encryption, Android users will have to wait a little longer for cross-platform security.
