Code hints in the latest iOS 26.3 developer beta indicate end-to-end encryption is finally coming to RCS messaging on iOS.
In March 2025, Apple and the Rich Communication Services (RCS) standards body GSMA announced that there would be end-to-end encryption support for RCS messaging on iOS. Almost a year later, there are signs that it is finally being implemented.
A post on X by French developer Tiino-X83 on Monday showed what appeared to be carrier bundles in iOS 26.3's second developer beta. A screenshot shows that there's a new key titled "SupportsE2EE" added to four bundles of carriers operating in France.
Le chiffrement de bout en bout arrive sur le RCS de l'iPhone !
— Tiino-X83 (@TiinoX83) January 12, 2026
Je viens de verifier les carrier bundles d'iOS 26.3 bta 2, et Apple a ajoute un nouveau paramtre permettant aux operateurs d'activer le chiffrement pour le RCS
Pour le moment, aucun operateur ne l'a encore active pic.twitter.com/RkFGH5J5ut
The addition should a carrier to enable or disable end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. That is, if the key is included in the carrier bundle in the first place, otherwise the option won't be available to that mobile network.
However, while encouraging, the discovery of the code references does not guarantee that end-to-end encryption for RCS will be arriving as part of iOS 26.3 itself. It could simply mean that Apple is testing the functionality before making it fully available.
A long E2EE road
End-to-end encryption in RCS will make messaging more secure and private for its users. It's already a staple feature of iMessage, and has been for quite some time.
Apple had faced a lot of pressure to bring RCS support to iOS, finally doing so in iOS 18. However, at the time, it did not support Google's implementation of end-to-end encryption.
March's announcement involved the release of a new specification, the RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which was made in collaboration with Apple. The profile included end-to-end encryption as part of the standard itself, rather than being an extra layer added by Google.
That change means RCS messaging will have end-to-end encryption that is interoperable across platforms. RCS in Apple's iMessage will work with Google's messaging platforms, so long as both support RCS Universal Profile 3.0.
If they do, the battle over green and blue messaging bubbles may finally be over.
