Last year, Apple confirmed that it would support end-to-end encryption with RCS in a future software update. At the time, iOS 18 was still the latest version of iOS – meaning the upgrade would come as part of the next round of software – iOS 26.
End-to-end encryption is yet to be delivered. However, that is not the only thing. Upgrading to end-to-end encryption would also require other major upgrades to the RCS protocol, and as of iOS 26.3 RC, all of that is still missing.
End-to-end encryption
FYI, Apple shipped a mostly barebones version of the RCS protocol when they released it with iOS 18. They used version 2.4, which only handled the basics — like read receipts, higher-quality photos, and typing indicators. It didn’t have any kind of end-to-end encryption at launch, mainly because the RCS open standard didn’t have it until version 3.0.
Last March, Apple confirmed 9 to 5 Mac that they will support RCS end-to-end encryption, just shortly after the release of RCS version 3.0:
End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported since the beginning, and we’re now pleased to help lead the cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the GSMA’s RCS Universal Profile. In future software updates, we will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
While end-to-end encryption is the key thing Apple is emphasizing with RCS version 3.0, there are a number of other new features that RCS on iPhone will get as part of the upgrade.
RCS 2.7 Upgrades
As mentioned earlier, iOS currently uses RCS version 2.4. With RCS 2.7, the protocol implemented a number of massive upgrades, bringing it more on par with other modern texting platforms like iMessage:
- In-line folded
- Correct response support
- Own reaction
- Ability to edit messages
- Ability to delete/recall messages
As of now, RCS on iPhone supports reactions, although not properly. Currently, it’s simply parsing the fallback text that says something along the lines of “The user added x reactions to the message” – rather than handling the emoji reaction correctly.
In addition, the ability to edit, delete and reply to messages between iPhone and Android will be a huge plus.
Wrap
Recently, several French carrier bundles released alongside iOS 26.3 beta 2 shared something interesting: some carriers will be able to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging by default.
That in itself is pretty cool, but it also means one thing: these RCS upgrades are likely to come very soon, most likely alongside the first iOS 26.4 betas later this month. The new carrier bundles suggest that Apple is preparing to make the feature available soon, though not in iOS 26.3.
What do you think about RCS messaging? Are you looking forward to these upgrades? Get in touch in the comments.
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