iOS 26.5 is now available to everyone after six weeks of beta testing. The update adds fresh wallpapers, new features to Apple Maps, and more.
Perhaps most notably, iOS 26.5 adds support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging. Apple says the feature, which is still a beta, will roll out gradually over the coming months …
Apple first added RCS support to iPhone with iOS 18.1, enabling richer cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. This included features like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-resolution photo and video attachments.
Last March, Apple announced its plans to add support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. Apple started beta-testing the feature with iOS 26.4 earlier this year, and now it’s starting to roll out to everyone as part of iOS 26.5.
Apple is still labeling RCS encryption as a beta feature in iOS 26.5. It is enabled by default. You can toggle it on or off by going to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and looking for the new “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” toggle.
Apple says that end-to-end encryption with RCS is available with supported carriers and will roll out to additional carriers over time. You can view the carriers that support RCS end-to-end encryption on this webpage.
However, Apple adds that the feature is rolling out gradually over the coming months. Even if a carrier is listed on the above webpage as supported, the feature might not be available for all users of that carrier right away. As RCS end-to-end encryption rolls out, Apple says it will automatically be enabled for new and existing conversations.
Apple has also updated the Messages app interface to accommodate support for RCS encryption. When you message someone with RCS encryption enabled, you will see a new lock icon at the top of the thread. Android users will see the same lock icon on their message threads. That lock is also how you will know for sure that the feature has rolled out to your carrier and device.
The lock icon also appears for all iMessage threads, as iMessage has supported end-to-end encryption since 2011.
Apple’s addition of end-to-end encryption support is a major update to its RCS implementation. You can update to iOS 26.5 today by going to Settings, choosing General, then choosing Software Update.
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