Apple introduced RCS support to iPhone devices with iOS 18.1, allowing for enhanced cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. This included features such as typing indicators, read receipts, and high-quality photo and video attachments.
In March, Apple revealed its intentions to incorporate end-to-end encryption for RCS messages.
Now, with the release of iOS 26.4 beta 1 today, users can begin testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on their iPhones.
It’s important to note that the RCS end-to-end encryption feature in iOS 26.4 is currently in a limited testing phase.
Furthermore, the feature will not be fully launched with the iOS 26.4 update. Apple has confirmed that end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging will be accessible to users in a future iOS 26 update.
Here’s how the feature operates.
What’s new in iOS 26.4
iOS 26.4 includes a new toggle in the Settings app that allows users to test end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging. This toggle is activated by default.
However, Apple mentions that the capability will gradually roll out to beta users and will become available to more users during the testing phase. Therefore, just seeing the toggle in Settings does not guarantee access to test RCS encrypted messaging.
In this initial test phase, RCS encryption is only available for iPhone-to-iPhone messaging. This means it can only be used for communication between iPhone users who have iMessage disabled.
Currently, the feature cannot be tested for RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices. Apple plans to enable cross-platform testing in the future.
Apple has also updated the Messages app interface to accommodate these changes. When messaging someone with RCS encryption enabled, users will see a new lock icon in the chat thread.
This lock icon will also appear in all iMessage threads, as iMessage has supported end-to-end encryption since 2011.
9to5Mac’s Take
It’s essential to remember that the RCS encryption on iPhone is currently being tested. The feature is gradually rolling out to iOS 26.4 beta users and is currently limited to iPhone-to-iPhone messaging.
Nevertheless, this marks a crucial step for Apple in implementing full support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging for all iPhone users, which will be available in a future iOS 26 update.
According to Apple’s developer release notes for iOS 26.4:
RCS end-to-end encryption is now available for testing in this beta. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in a future software update for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices. In this beta, RCS encryption is available for testing between Apple devices and is not yet testable with other platforms.
iOS 26.4 is currently being rolled out to developer beta testers, with a public beta planned for a later stage.
Discover any other new features in the update? Feel free to share in the comments.
Best iPhone 17 accessories
Follow Chance: Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, and Mastodon.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
