Apple has taken a small step toward securing cross-platform messaging, with early RCS encryption support now appearing in the iOS 26.4 beta. Just don't expect to get that much testing done right now.

When RCS messaging became available on the iPhone with the rollout of iOS 18, the technical director of the GSM Association teased that the next major milestone for the messaging standard is the ...

The RCS communication protocol is basically next-gen SMS, adding support for features like typing indicators, read receipts, and higher-quality image, video, and file sharing features. Google has been ...

In an unexpected move, Apple has seeded a second release candidate of iOS 26.5. What does this mean and how will it affect the general release?

End-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages between iPhone and Android devices is coming in iOS 26.5, Apple confirmed today. The feature is listed in Apple's iOS 26.5 release notes. Apple says ...

There was a lot of excitement when Apple finally brought RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging to iPhone a little over a year ago. The new standard permanently upgraded the process of sending ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Davey Winder is a veteran cybersecurity writer, hacker and analyst. This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more. This ...

Apple has released the latest iOS 26.5 beta, and it brings a familiar feature to the Messages app as the RCS technology sees the return of end-to-end encryption. Apple Messages' RCS Sees End-to-End ...

After Apple released the iOS 26.5 update for iPhones, the iMessage app now says "Encrypted." Why does this text show up? What ...

Apple tested end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users in the iOS 26.4 beta, but Apple made it clear the functionality was not going to launch in the iOS ...