Google and Apple are rolling out end-to-end encryption for RCS, securing chats between Android and iPhone users by default.

Google Messages has had end-to-end encrypted messaging between Android devices for years, but we knew we couldn't stop there.

Google and Apple have led a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS), making the cross-platform messaging format that replaces traditional SMS more secure and private.

Starting today, end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging begins rolling out in beta for iPhone users running iOS 26.5 with supported carriers and Android users on the latest version of Google Messages.

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When RCS messages are end-to-end encrypted, they can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.

Google Messages users will know a cross-platform conversation is end-to-end encrypted when they see the same lock icon previously used in RCS chats.…