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Apple is taking the next step toward enabling end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices.
As 9to5Mac reports, X user TiinoX83 spotted "a new setting that allows carriers to enable encryption for RCS" in iOS 26.3 beta 2. The user, who lives in France, posted a screenshot showing a "SupportsE2EE” string in the code.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages support more advanced features. Apple first introduced RCS with iOS 18 in 2024, which is why you can now see read receipts and typing indicators when you're texting with someone on an Android phone.
However, Phone-to-Android RCS chats only encrypt messages in transit, not end-to-end, potentially putting messages at risk of interception. Adding E2EE support means no one can read messages sent between devices, not even Apple.
Once Apple rolls out E2EE for RCS messaging, carriers worldwide will need to enable it. So far, only four carriers have this set up (Bouygues, Free, Orange, and SFR), and they're all based in France, suggesting Apple may be using the country as a beta-testing ground.
To offer E2EE messaging, Apple will adopt the RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which was first revealed in March 2025. At the time, it pledged to support the features across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in “future software updates.”
Apple is expected to launch iOS 26.3 later this month, possibly around Jan. 26. We'll have to see if E2EE RCS makes an appearance or if Apple will wait until iOS 27 later this year.