The iPhone maker released a developer beta of iOS and iPadOS 26.4 on Monday that adds end-to-end encryption for RCS messages for testing, limited to conversations between its devices and expected to ship to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in a future update.
KEY FACTS
- Feature End-to-end encryption for RCS messages
- Beta iOS and iPadOS 26.4 Developer Beta
- Scope Limited to conversations between the company’s devices and not other platforms
- Technology Requires RCS Universal Profile 3.0 built on Messaging Layer Security
Apple release notes said that 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 cannot be read while they are sent between devices.
Availability is limited to conversations between the company’s devices and does not extend to other platforms such as Android.
E2EE for RCS will require an update to RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which is built on the Messaging Layer Security protocol used to provide cross-device key management and group messaging protections.
The beta also adds an option for applications to opt in to full Memory Integrity Enforcement safeguards beyond the previous Soft Mode. The update is also expected to enable Stolen Device Protection by default, adding biometric checks and a one hour delay before account password changes when a device is away from familiar locations.
WHY IT MATTERS
If deployed broadly, encrypted RCS between the company’s devices would prevent intermediaries from reading messages sent over the RCS protocol. Wider cross platform protection depends on other vendors and carriers adopting the Universal Profile update.