The all-new iOS 26.5 is now rolling out to everyone after six weeks of beta testing. The new update brings fresh wallpapers, new features for Apple Maps, and more. One of the biggest additions is support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging. Apple Inc. says the feature, which is still in beta, will be available gradually over the coming months.
Previously, Apple introduced RCS support in iOS 18.1, enabling richer cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. Features such as typing indicators, read receipts, and high-resolution video attachments were also added to that update.
It was last year that Apple Inc. announced plans to add end-to-end encryption to RCS messages. Apple began beta testing the feature with iOS 26.4 earlier this year, and it is now rolling out to all users as part of iOS 26.5.
Apple is still labeling RCS encryption as a beta feature in iOS 26.5, even though it is enabled by default. Users can toggle it on or off in binSettings > Messages > RCS Messaging, where they can find the new “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” option.
Apple has also clarified that end-to-end encryption for RCS is currently available only with supported carriers and will expand to additional carriers over time. The company further noted that the rollout will occur gradually over the coming months, so the feature may not be immediately available to all users. As end-to-end encryption for RCS becomes available, Apple says it will be automatically enabled for both new and existing conversations.
The Messages app has also been updated to visually support RCS encryption. When messaging someone with RCS encryption enabled, users will see a new lock icon at the top of the conversation thread. Android users will see the same lock icon on their message threads. That icon will also confirm whether the feature has rolled out to a user’s carrier and device.
The lock icon already appears in all iMessage conversations, as iMessage has supported end-to-end encryption since 2011. Apple’s addition of end-to-end encryption to RCS marks a major upgrade to its messaging ecosystem and cross-platform communication experience.
Users can update to iOS 26.5 by heading to Settings > General > Software Update on their iPhone.
