Release day at Apple: The manufacturer released a major update for iPhones, Macs, iPads and Watches for download on Monday evening. The fresh version 26.5 of the iOS, macOS, iPadOS and watchOS operating systems only contains a small number of innovations, but one function is particularly serious: With the update, Apple’s messaging app introduces end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS. Messaging with Android users via Apple’s standard app is intended to be protected for the first time by end-to-end encryption against network operators being able to read.
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RCS with E2EE as beta for now
The encryption takes place at the protocol level and is based on the RCS specification “RCS Universal Profile 3.0”, which was introduced over a year ago. The Messaging Layer Security Protocol (MLS) is used as the cryptography standard. Apple currently classifies the encryption as “beta” and points out that it will only be introduced gradually. The prerequisite is that RCS 3.0 is supported by the app of the transmitter and receiver – and that the network operators involved are also on board.
On Monday, in a short test by Mac & i, the exchange of RCS messages with end-to-end encryption between an iPhone with iOS 26.5 in the Telekom network and an Android device with Android 16 and Google Messages Beta in the Vodafone network worked. In contrast, an RCS chat with Google Messages on another Android smartphone in the Telekom network remained unencrypted – the cause is unclear. Unfortunately, Apple Messages only labels end-to-end encryption very inconspicuously, so many users may miss whether their messages are actually protected or not. Speech bubbles remain green – as they once did with SMS – even if consistent encryption is in effect.
Security patches – even for older Apple systems
iOS 26.5 includes a new “Pride Luminance” wallpaper and is preparing for the introduction of advertising in Apple Maps in the first regions. This includes new suggestions for places in the area, where the advertising banners should ultimately appear. There is no sign of this in Germany for the time being. In watchOS 26.5, Apple also fixes two bugs.
The new version is also intended to eliminate security gaps, and Apple usually provides the first details about this later in the evening. In parallel to iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS, Apple has also released tvOS and visionOS 26.5 for download as well as software version 26.5 for HomePods. There is also a patch for iOS and iPadOS 18 with version 18.7.9 as well as updates for macOS 15 and macOS 14.
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(lbe)
