Apple recently introduced RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging to the iPhone just over a year ago. This new standard significantly enhanced the way messages are sent between iPhone and Android devices. Nevertheless, iPhone users are still anticipating Apple to implement complete end-to-end encryption for RCS, which is one of the key advantages of RCS — in addition to improved quality of media sharing, reactions, read receipts, and other functionalities offered by the messaging protocol.
Earlier this year, Apple revealed its intention to implement end-to-end encryption for RCS on the iPhone, but the company has not yet provided a specific timeframe. However, newly discovered code by Android Authority in the iOS 26 beta indicates that this privacy feature might be on the way sooner than expected. It would be a highly desired improvement, particularly given the lengthy delay Apple took to bring RCS to iOS devices originally.
