Major Progress Achieved Towards Secure RCS Messaging on Android and iPhone

Taylor Keatsman

ago 2 hours

Major Progress Achieved Towards Secure RCS Messaging on Android and iPhone

Recent developments indicate significant advancement towards secure Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging on both Android and iPhone platforms. Apple is reportedly enhancing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) support through its iOS 26.3 Beta 2. This update hints at a future where cross-platform messaging is more secure, though its full implementation may still be off.

Progress on RCS Messaging Encryption

Apple’s commitment to RCS began with the rollout of iOS 18, which allowed seamless messaging between Android and iPhone users. However, this integration lacked the vital E2EE security required for private conversations. Heretofore, messaging between the two operating systems remained vulnerable to interception.

Details from the iOS 26.3 Beta 2

Apple has introduced a new setting in iOS 26.3 Beta 2, enabling carriers to turn on encryption for RCS messaging.
Currently, this feature is only accessible to four carriers in France: Bouygues, Orange, SFR, and Free.
As of now, these carriers have not activated the encryption option.

This move aligns with the GSMA’s recent announcement regarding Universal Profile 3.0 specifications, which emphasize the necessity of incorporating E2EE based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol. This protocol is expected to facilitate secure communication across platforms, enhancing user privacy.

What’s Next for Apple and RCS Messaging?

While the beta version has introduced promising features, the anticipated full release of iOS 26.3 is expected soon. However, it’s uncertain if this update will include the highly awaited E2EE for RCS. The user community is eager for updates, particularly after Apple has demonstrated progress toward building this essential security feature.

In summary, the journey towards secure RCS messaging on Android and iPhone is underway, but users must wait for final implementations. As encryption becomes more commonplace, seamless and secure communication may soon be within reach.