iOS 26.4 beta 2 is out now open to developersand extends support for testing RCS encrypted messages on the iPhone.
When iOS 26.4 beta 1 released last week, that added early support for testing RCS encryption, but only for iPhone-to-iPhone messages. However, in iOS 26.4 beta 2, support is being expanded to include messaging between iPhone and Android devices.
RCS encryption testing support is rolling out gradually to iPhone users running iOS 26.4 beta 2. Android users, meanwhile, will need to use the latest beta version of the Google Messages app. Availability will also vary depending on carriers.
After updating to iOS 26.4 beta 2, iPhone users can go to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and look for the new “End-to-End Encryption (Beta)” button. This should be enabled by default.
Apple has also updated the Messages app interface to accommodate these changes. When you message someone with RCS encryption enabled, you’ll see a new lock icon in the chat thread. Android users will also see the same lock icon in their message threads.
This lock icon will also appear in all iMessage themes, as iMessage has supported end-to-end encryption since 2011.
Like us reported last weekEnd-to-end RCS encryption will not actually ship as part of iOS 26.4. Instead, it is included in this beta for testing purposes and Apple says will be available in a future iOS 26 update.
Apple first added RCS support on iPhone with iOS 18.1, bringing things like write indicators and read receipts to messages between iPhone and Android users. last march, Apple announced its plans to add support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messages.
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