Apple enables encrypted RCS chats on iPhone

Apple has introduced end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta with its latest iOS 26.5 update. This feature allows iPhone users to communicate securely with Android users through the Messages app, ensuring that neither Apple nor Google can access the content of these conversations. The encryption will be enabled by default and will automatically activate for both new and existing RCS chats over time. Users can identify an encrypted conversation by a lock icon and an "Encrypted" label at the top of the chat, provided their carrier supports the functionality.