Last year, Apple confirmed that it’d be supporting end-to-end encryption with RCS in a future software update. At the time, iOS 18 was still the latest version of iOS – thus implying that the upgrade would come as part of the next round of software – iOS 26.
So far, end-to-end encryption is yet to ship. That’s not the only thing though. The upgrade to end-to-end encryption would’ve also necessitated other major upgrades to the RCS protocol, and as of iOS 26.3 RC, it’s all still missing.
End-to-end encryption
For reference, Apple shipped the most barebones version of the RCS protocol when they released it with iOS 18. They utilized version 2.4, which only handled the basics – like read receipts, higher quality photos, and typing indicators. It didn’t have any sort of end-to-end encryption at launch, primarily because the open RCS standard didn’t have it yet – not until version 3.0.
Last March, Apple confirmed to 9to5Mac that they’d be supporting 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 now we are pleased to have helped lead a cross industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the RCS Universal Profile published by the GSMA. We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.
While end-to-end encryption is the key thing Apple highlights with RCS version 3.0, there’s a number of other new features that RCS on iPhone will gain as part of the upgrade.
RCS 2.7 upgrades
As mentioned prior, iOS currently utilizes RCS version 2.4. With RCS version 2.7, the protocol implemented a number of massive upgrades, bringing it more in par with other modern texting platforms, such as iMessage:
- In-line replies
- Proper support for reactions
- Custom reactions
- Ability to edit messages
- Ability to delete/recall messages
As of now, RCS on iPhone does support reactions, though not properly. Currently, it’s simply parsing a fallback text that says something along the lines of ‘User added x reaction to message’ – rather than properly handling an emoji reaction.
Beyond that, the ability to edit, delete, and in-line reply to messages between iPhone and Android will be a huge plus.
Wrap up
Recently, a few 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.
This in itself is pretty cool, but it also means one thing: these RCS upgrades are likely coming very soon, most likely alongside the first iOS 26.4 betas later this month. The new carrier bundles suggest Apple is prepping for the feature to be available pretty soon, though not in iOS 26.3.
What do you think about RCS messaging? Are you looking forward to these upgrades? Sound off in the comments.
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