Apple has taken a key step in its messaging strategy by beginning to test end-to-end encryption in the RCS messages between iPhone and Android with the second beta of iOS 26.4 for developers. This is not yet the final rollout, but it is the first time this type of protection has entered a real-world testing phase between the two systems.
With this beta version, the company reinforces its commitment to the RCS standard and reduces the gap that existed compared to services such as WhatsApp or Telegramwhere encryption has been the norm for years. The new feature will first be available to those who install iOS 26.4 beta 2 and use compatible carriers.while the majority of users will have to wait for future stable versions of iOS 26.
RCS encryption between iPhone and Android: what really changes
The big news in iOS 26.4 beta 2 is that RCS messages between an iPhone and an Android phone are now protected with end-to-end encryptionprovided that a series of requirements are met. Until now, iMessage Apple already encrypted conversations between devices, and Google did the same for chats between Android devices, but mixed exchanges remained the weak link.
With the new beta, when encryption is active, conversations show a padlock icon associated with chat threadIn the iOS Messages app, the green bubbles will be preceded by an indication such as "Text Message · RCS | Encrypted" in the center of the screen, making it clear that the content is protected during transmission.
On the Android side, Google Messages It also incorporates the same padlock symbol in encrypted messagesThis is similar to what already happens in chats between two Android users. The idea is that, regardless of the system, it should be clear that neither the operator nor third parties should be able to read the content of the conversation.
Apple emphasizes in the beta documentation that Conversations marked as encrypted are protected in such a way that cannot be read while they are being broadcast between devices. That is, end-to-end encryption is applied to the message transmission; neither the carrier nor Apple nor Google should be able to access the plaintext content.
Requirements, limitations, and phased deployment
The RCS encryption feature is not yet available to everyone. On the Apple side, it is essential to have iOS 26.4 beta 2 installed.On Android, this requires the latest beta version of the Google Messages app and an operator that supports these tests.
After updating your iPhone, you need to go to Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging and verify that the "End-to-end encryption (beta)" option is enabled. According to Apple, this setting is enabled by default, but it's advisable to check that it hasn't been disabled manually or due to an issue with the beta profile.
The tests are being rolled out gradually and may vary depending on the mobile operator and region, something especially relevant in Europe and Spain, where The deployment of RCS depends largely on adoption by telecomsNot all users who install the beta will see the padlock immediately, even if they meet the software requirements.
It is important to point out that, for the time being, Apple does not plan to generally enable this encryption in the final version of iOS 26.4The company says full activation will arrive “in a future iOS 26 update,” a reference that also extends to iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26, where the RCS standard and its encryption will have to fit in with the rest of the ecosystem.
A further step in the adoption of the RCS standard
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the standard that seeks to replace the classic SMS and MMS, offering Enriched messaging with high-quality photos and videos, typing indicators, read receipts, and other advanced featuresGoogle has been pushing its adoption for some time through the instant messaging applications on Android, with the aim of bringing the experience closer to what more popular instant messaging applications already offer.
Apple, meanwhile, It added RCS support in iOS 18This allowed Android conversations to gain in image quality, speed, and features such as typing indicators and read receipts. However, strengthening the security of these hybrid communications remained a challenge.
The current move comes after the GSMA published the technical specifications needed to enable end-to-end encryption in the RCS standardAs a result, Apple confirmed last year its intention to adopt this type of protection, and during the summer internal tests began with a technology based on the MLS protocol, which Google had already begun to integrate into its own app.
Now, with iOS 26.4 beta 2, that commitment is beginning to materialize in the form of public (albeit limited) testing. The goal is to enable chats between iOS and Android cease to be the weak point in terms of privacy, aligning the basic mobile messaging channel with the current security expectations of European users.
Changes to Messages and other visual adjustments in iOS 26.4
The release of this beta isn't limited to encryption. Apple has also introduced Minor tweaks to the Messages app interface to adapt it to the new experience with encrypted RCS, including the way the padlock icon and protected thread labels are displayed.
Outside of Messages, one of the visible changes is in the home screen editing menu. The button “Edit” now uses a more transparent Liquid Glass effectContinuing the refinement of the new visual language of iOS 26. It's not a radical redesign, but rather an aesthetic adjustment that suggests the system is still evolving beta by beta.
Slight changes are also noticeable in other system applications. The Games app's search bar moves from the bottom to the topThis position is more comfortable and consistent with the other apps in practice. This way, navigation is standardized and the learning curve for the user is reduced.
In the App Store and Apple Music, the account section debuts a New visual treatment with the text “Apple Account” aligned to the left and the rainbow icon that had already been seen previously in Settings, seeking to unify the visual identity of the account throughout the system.
Accessibility improvements and settings for advanced users
Beyond the most visible new features, iOS 26.4 beta 2 incorporates a few minor changes aimed at accessibility for advanced usersIn the Display and Text Size menu, there is an option called "Reduce highlight effects," designed for those who feel uncomfortable or distracted by certain animations or visual effects.
Another practical novelty is the possibility of Check the build number of an update by simply tapping its name in the software update panel. This seemingly small feature makes life easier for both developers and users who closely follow each iteration of iOS and need to know exactly which build they have installed.
Apple has also introduced a "hygiene" change to the beta system: if a device remains for four months with the betas enabled but without installing any test versionThe system automatically switches to the public channel. This prevents users from unknowingly becoming stuck on a beta channel they no longer use.
From the perspective of the European Union, where regulations on software security and transparency are becoming increasingly stringent, These small controls help maintain a more predictable ecosystem and one less prone to unexpected behavior. due to forgotten trial versions.
Beta status, availability, and what's currently excluded
For now, iOS 26.4 beta 2 is available for registered developers through Apple's usual portal. For the general public, the public beta will most likely be released soon, following the same process as beta 1: simply register at beta.apple.com with your Apple ID and enable beta updates from Settings > General > Software Update.
It's worth remembering that this is test software. Apple insists that There may be message delivery problems, occasional service outages, or various errorsTherefore, it is recommended to install these versions on a secondary iPhone or, at the very least, make a full backup before updating.
Some of the features that had been hinted at in previous betas are still missing. The new emojis that the company has in the pipeline are still missing.Although they have traditionally been included in iOS ".4" versions, there are still beta iterations to come, so their arrival in future builds is not out of the question.
In the musical realm, Apple Music's Playground feature, based on AI-generated playlistsIt remains limited to the United States. There is no public date yet for its arrival in Spain or the rest of Europe, although the international rollout is expected to be gradual once Apple deems the feature ready.
How to test RCS encryption on iOS 26.4 beta 2
Those who meet the requirements and want to experiment with these new features can do so right now. For developers, the beta can be downloaded from developer.apple.com And, once installed, the function is accessed from Settings > Messages > RCS Messaging, where the end-to-end encryption option should appear marked as beta.
On Android, it is necessary join the Google Messages beta program and ensure the app is updated to the latest version available. Only then will RCS encryption support be activated on iOS, provided the network operator has also enabled testing.
If everything is configured correctly, when starting a conversation between an iPhone with iOS 26.4 beta 2 and an Android with Google Messages beta and RCS enabled, Both ends should see the padlock icon on the encrypted threads.That will be the visual indication that communication is being protected during transit.
As with any beta version, it's not guaranteed to work the first time. There may be occasional discrepancies depending on the operator, the region, or even the specific combination of devicesThat's why Apple and Google say this phase is a "next step" in a broader rollout of cross-platform RCS encryption, not yet the final goal.
With the arrival of iOS 26.4 beta 2, messaging between iPhone and Android takes a leap that has been awaited for years: The RCS standard now includes end-to-end encryption in real-world testing.This is accompanied by minor visual improvements, accessibility adjustments, and changes designed to refine the user experience. It remains to be seen when it will be rolled out to the general public and how European operators will respond, but the move makes it clear that the traditional messaging channel can no longer afford to remain in the shadow of the most popular apps.