Encrypted messaging between iPhone and Android devices moved closer to reality this week as Apple expanded testing in its latest developer beta.
iOS 26.4 beta 2 now supports end-to-end encryption for RCS conversations across platforms, allowing iPhone users running the test software to exchange secure messages with Android devices on the latest Google Messages beta. The feature builds on last week's initial testing phase that was limited to iPhone-to-iPhone chats with iMessage disabled.
"RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices."
Apple's developer release notes confirm the expanded scope. The company emphasizes this remains a testing phase, with the full feature scheduled for a future iOS 26 update rather than iOS 26.4 itself.
Both platforms require specific software versions to participate in the encrypted conversations. iPhone users need iOS 26.4 beta 2 installed, while Android counterparts must run the latest Google Messages beta app.
Carrier support also influences availability during this testing period.
When encryption activates successfully, participants see a lock icon in their chat threads. This visual indicator appears identically in both Apple's Messages app and Google's Messages interface, providing clear confirmation that messages cannot be read during transmission between devices.
The development addresses a longstanding security gap that has persisted since Apple introduced RCS support with iOS 18 last year. While iMessage conversations between Apple devices have featured end-to-end encryption since 2011, and Android's RCS implementation already secures Android-to-Android texts, cross-platform messaging has remained unencrypted until now.
Apple collaborated with the GSM Association to implement this encryption layer across platforms. The partnership represents a step toward parity between iMessage's security standards and cross-platform communication protocols.
Users participating in the beta can enable the feature through Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging, where an "End to End Encryption (Beta)" toggle appears enabled by default after installing iOS 26.4 beta 2.
The company's release notes explicitly state that encrypted RCS messaging "is not shipping in this release" but will reach customers "in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases." This timeline suggests broader platform integration will follow initial iOS deployment.
