• Cross-platform RCS messages can now be sent with end-to-end encryption
• But that only happens if everyone’s devices are compatible
• Not every carrier supports the feature, either

Apple has long been reluctant to support the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard on its devices because RCS is not encrypted by default. Now, though, Apple and Google have announced that they have brought end-to-end encryption to cross-platform RCS, making your text messages a whole lot more secure.

Google noted that “we knew we couldn't stop there” after previously enabling end-to-end RCS encryption on Android. Meanwhile, Apple said that, beginning May 11, “end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages.”

The good news is that, providing your device is compatible and your carrier supports it, end-to-end encryption for RCS is enabled by default. You don’t need to flip any switches or activate any settings, it just works out of the box to keep your texts private between you and the recipient.

Apple and Google say you’ll know that your texts are encrypted when you see a small padlock icon and the word “Encrypted” in your messages. If that’s not present, anything you send will not be secured this way — so be careful what you type.

Not as secure as you’d think

In case you’re unsure, end-to-end encryption means that your messages are encrypted on the sender’s device, in transit, and on the receiver’s device. That means that even if a hacker manages to intercept your texts, they still won’t be able to read them. It’s an important safety feature, especially considering how sensitive some text messages can be, and helps take the security credentials of RCS up a notch or two.

However, it’s worth noting that there is a significant catch to the latest announcement. As alluded to above, both your device and carrier must support end-to-end encryption for the feature to work. That means that if you’re in a group chat and even one person’s device does not meet these specifications, the entire chat will not be encrypted. Interestingly, a list of compatible carriers compiled by 9to5Mac does not contain Google Fi, despite Google working to enable end-to-end encryption in RCS.

Texts sent from one iPhone to another using Apple’s Messages app are always end-to-end encrypted. Texts sent between Android devices using Google Messages are end-to-end encrypted as long as you’re using RCS and have a recent version of the app. But texts sent cross-platform — even when using RCS — are not always end-to-end encrypted and won’t be if one device isn’t compatible with the feature. That’s a sizeable snag to be aware of.

It means that it’s always worth checking for the padlock icon if you’re planning to send messages across different smartphone platforms. And if you really want to be safe, you should switch to one of the best private messaging apps to ensure everything you type is kept well away from prying eyes.

Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.

Alex Blake has been fooling around with computers since the early 1990s, and since that time he's learned a thing or two about tech. No more than two things, though. That's all his brain can hold. As well as TechRadar, Alex writes for iMore, Digital Trends and Creative Bloq, among others. He was previously commissioning editor at MacFormat magazine. That means he mostly covers the world of Apple and its latest products, but also Windows, computer peripherals, mobile apps, and much more beyond. When not writing, you can find him hiking the English countryside and gaming on his PC.