Apple has expanded testing for end-to-end encryption in RCS messaging with iOS 26.4 beta 2, allowing encrypted conversations between iPhone and Android users for the first time during the beta cycle. This update builds on the first beta, which limited encryption testing to iPhone-to-iPhone chats with iMessage turned off, and now moves the feature closer to full cross-platform support.
In this second beta, iPhone users running iOS 26.4 beta 2 can exchange encrypted RCS messages with Android users who have the latest beta version of the Google Messages app installed. Availability still depends on device compatibility and carrier support, so not all users will see the feature immediately.
Don’t miss the best of The Mac Observer
Set us as a preferred source and our Apple reporting ranks higher in your Google Search results and Discover feed — one tap, no account changes.
According to Apple’s developer release notes for beta 2:
“RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases. 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 can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.”
Apple makes it clear that this is a testing phase and that encrypted RCS messaging will arrive in a future iOS 26 update, not in iOS 26.4 itself.
How Encrypted RCS
After installing iOS 26.4 beta 2, you can go to Settings, then Messages, then RCS Messaging, and check the “End to End Encryption (Beta)” toggle, which should be enabled by default. When encryption is active, you will see a lock icon in the chat thread. Android users will see the same lock symbol in their Google Messages app.
Apple worked with the GSM Association to implement this encryption layer. While iMessage has supported end-to-end encryption since 2011, RCS conversations between iPhone and Android devices have not had full encryption until now. With this beta, Apple moves closer to closing that gap, even though full public rollout will come later.
Discussion