Apple to Support Encrypted RCS Messaging in Future Software Update

Apple says it will add support for a new Rich Communication Services (RCS) specification that includes end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messages sent over the protocol in future software updates.

apple rcs thumb

"End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported since the beginning, and now we are pleased to have helped lead a cross industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the RCS Universal Profile published by the GSMA," said an Apple spokesperson. "We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates."

The GSM Association (GSMA), the organization responsible for developing the RCS standard, started working to enable E2EE on messages sent between Android and iPhone in September last year. It only announced the new RCS specification with E2EE support today, so it's not clear how long it will take Apple to incorporate the updated profile into its software. But at least it's coming.

Apple adopted RCS with last year's release of iOS 18.1, which replaced SMS with ‌RCS‌ messaging for texts sent to Android users. While the update brings improvements such as high-resolution media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators, it notably lacks E2EE – something Apple's proprietary iMessage system already supports.

The implementation of E2EE for cross-platform ‌RCS‌ messages would prevent third parties, such as messaging services or cell carriers, from viewing the content of texts. This added layer of security would also prevent state surveillance of citizens' ‌RCS‌ communications.

Google Messages already supports E2EE by default for RCS texts, but this applies only to conversations between Google Messages users. Messages exchanged with iPhone users or those using other RCS clients on Android are not encrypted.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Coming Soon With These 14 New Features

Friday July 4, 2025 1:05 pm PDT by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are just over two months away, and there are plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models. Latest Rumors These rumors surfaced in June and July:Apple logo repositioned: Apple's logo may have a lower position on the back of the iPhone 17 Pro models, compared to previous...
Apple Watch Ultra Night Mode Screen

Apple Watch Ultra 3 Launching Later This Year With Two Key Upgrades

Wednesday July 2, 2025 1:13 pm PDT by
The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support. Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode In his latest Power On newsletter, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on track to launch this year with "significant" new features, including satellite connectivity, which would let you...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max Battery Capacity Leaked

Thursday July 3, 2025 5:40 am PDT by
The iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature the biggest ever battery in an iPhone, according to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital." In a new post, the leaker listed the battery capacities of the iPhone 11 Pro Max through to the iPhone 16 Pro Max, and added that the iPhone 17 Pro Max will feature a battery capacity of 5,000mAh: iPhone 11 Pro Max: 3,969mAh iPhone 12 Pro Max: 3,687mAh...
airpods pro 2

AirPods Pro 3 to Help Maintain Apple's Place in Earbud Market Amid Increasing Low-Cost Competition

Thursday July 3, 2025 7:25 am PDT by
Apple's position as the dominant force in the global true wireless stereo (TWS) earbud market is expected to continue through 2025, according to Counterpoint Research. The forecast outlines a 3% year-over-year increase in global TWS unit shipments for 2025, signaling a transition from rapid growth to a more mature phase for the category. While Apple is set to remain the leading brand by...
iphone 16 pro models 1

Here's How the iPhone 17 Pro Max Will Compare to the iPhone 17 Pro

Saturday July 5, 2025 1:00 pm PDT by
Apple should unveil the iPhone 17 series in September, and there might be one bigger difference between the Pro and Pro Max models this year. As always, the Pro Max model will be larger than the Pro model:iPhone 17 Pro: 6.3-inch display iPhone 17 Pro Max: 6.9-inch displayGiven the Pro Max is physically larger than the Pro, it has more internal space, allowing for a larger battery and...
apple silicon mac lineup 2024 feature purple m5

Apple's Upcoming Macs Listed in New Report

Thursday July 3, 2025 9:09 am PDT by
AppleInsider's Marko Zivkovic today shared a list of alleged identifiers for future Mac models, which should roll out over the next year or so. The report does not reveal anything too surprising, but it does serve as further evidence that Apple is seemingly working on new models of every Mac, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. Apple is...

Top Rated Comments

WarmWinterHat Avatar
16 weeks ago

The bubbles will still be green though.
No one cares.
Score: 37 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nozuka Avatar
16 weeks ago

They have been saying this for like 3 years now.
The specification has been released today. No one has been saying that for 3 years, as it never happened before.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TriBruin Avatar
16 weeks ago

No one cares.
Unfortunately, that is not true. There are a number of posters right on this board, that have stated they will not interact using messages with friends and family who use an Android because of the green bubbles. They consider it beneath them. Imagine valuing your self worth based on what phone type your friends/family uses.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mazz0 Avatar
16 weeks ago

I turned this off immediately after updating the year it was released. I don’t know a single person using Android that uses the plain messaging app, it’s all WhatsApp.
Why would you turn it off though? It costs nothing to have on.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MTWomg Avatar
16 weeks ago

standard RCS and encrypted RCS should both have their own bubble colors
People should try to keep in mind the original purpose of bubble colors.

SMS is green, because it (used to) cost money. Green is the color of money. Carrier plans would include a small number of texts with pay-per-message billing after that number was exceeded. It was a thing. It was horrible.

iMessage is blue, because it is freeeee. Any data plan - and postpaid data plans in the US at the time universally included unlimited data - can easily absorb the amount of data used by text only messaging. Apple wanted to make it clear that these messages are different, even though you use the same app to send them. These messages don't cost you money.

These days, the bubbles work for Apple in encouraging young people to harass their friends into getting iPhones, so Apple will leave things the way they are.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MTWomg Avatar
16 weeks ago

The loudest voice on the RCS/SMS debate was Google. Seems like they're just using the bubble colour to push Apple adopting RCS technology. Since Apple announced and implemented RCS in iOS, even Google stopped talking about this topic.
RCS is a plain win over SMS and improves the experience of messaging an Android phone, so it's a plain win for everyone not involved in degrading experience quality to sell iPhones. Because of that push, messaging got better.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)