Apple and Google have started rolling out end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta for supported iPhone and Android devices.
With the update, iPhone users running iOS 26.5 on supported carriers will see a lock icon in RCS chats, indicating that messages are protected with end-to-end encryption.
Android users using the latest version of Google Messages will also receive the feature.
According to Apple, encrypted RCS messages cannot be read in transit between devices. The feature is enabled by default and will gradually activate for both new and existing RCS conversations.
RCS, or Rich Communication Services, is the modern messaging standard designed to replace traditional SMS.
It supports features such as high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts.
Apple also noted that iMessage remains end-to-end encrypted for communication between Apple devices.
The feature is starting to roll out in beta today for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers, as well as Android users using the latest version of Google Messages.
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