UPDATE 5/11: Apple today released its latest iOS updates—iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, among others—which bring with them end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices.

The option launches in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers. In the US, that includes AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, as well as Boost Mobile, C Spire, Consumer Cellular, Cricket, Metro by T-Mobile, Mint Mobile, US Cellular, and more. Android users will have access via the latest version of Google Messages.

"When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices," Apple says. "Users will know that a conversation is end-to-end encrypted when they see a new lock icon in their RCS chats. Encryption is on by default and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations."

Also in iOS 26.5 are improvements to Liquid Glass. A "Reduce Motion setting more reliably reduces the animations of Liquid Glass for users sensitive to on-screen motion," Apple says. Meanwhile, a "Reduce bright effects" setting will minimize bright flashes when tapping on things, while subtitle and caption settings will be available from the captions icon while something is playing.

Plus, Apple says the update offers "improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly," after people complained about frequent typing mistakes.

Other Changes in iOS 26.5

• 8 new emoji, including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face.
• Freeform gains advanced image creation and editing tools, and a premium content library, joining Apple Creator Studio.
• Mark reminders as urgent from the Quick Toolbar or by touching and holding, and filter for urgent reminders in your Smart Lists.
• Purchase Sharing lets adult members in Family Sharing groups use their own payment method when making purchases, without relying on the family organizer.
• Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your description, complete with a title, description, and tracklist
• Concerts helps you discover nearby shows from artists in your library and recommends new artists based on what you listen to
• Offline Music Recognition in Control Center identifies songs without an internet connection and delivers results automatically when you're back online
• Ambient Music widget for Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing brings curated playlists to the Home Screen
• Full-screen backgrounds give album and playlist pages a more immersive look

Original Story 5/5:
Apple began rolling out the release candidate of iOS 26.5 to testers on Monday, and it brings good news for those awaiting encrypted RCS messaging between Android and iPhone.

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“End-to-end encrypted RCS messaging (beta) in Messages is available with supported carriers and will roll out over time,” Apple says in its release notes.

(Credit: Apple/Jibin Joseph)

The Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol offers a more modern messaging experience compared with traditional SMS. Features include support for high-resolution media, typing indicators, and delivery and read receipts. Apple added support for the protocol with iOS 18 in 2024, but it wasn’t end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) at the time.

The GSMA, the body that maintains the RCS protocol, added support for E2EE last year. At launch, Apple said that it would add support on its platforms with “future software updates.” The iPhone maker has been testing E2EE on iOS 26 since the beginning of the year, and it finally appears ready to roll out the security feature to all users.

Note that RCS messaging is a carrier-provided service, and only select carriers support it on iPhones. You can enable it from Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging. Per 9to5Google, once Apple adds support for E2EE, you’ll see a toggle for End-to-End Encryption (Beta). The feature will be enabled by default for RCS users, and you can confirm it's active by looking for a lock icon with “Encrypted” displayed next to it in the chat interface.

Since the iOS 26.5 RC was introduced this week, a stable iOS 26.5 release can be expected for all users next week. Other features teased with the test version include Pride Luminance wallpapers and an update to the Maps app that displays recommendations in Suggested Places based on what’s trending nearby and your recent searches.