Apple’s newly released iOS 26.5 update supports end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices.
However, the feature requires the cooperation of wireless carriers. Fortunately, Apple released a list of which ones do, and all three of the biggest U.S. carriers are on board: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.
iOS 26.5 brings in encrypted RCS messaging
With Monday’s release of iOS 26.5, Apple added end-to-end encryption to RCS messaging between iPhone and Android users, closing one of the biggest security gaps in cross-platform texting.
Previously, conversations between iMessage and Android’s RCS system offered modern features like high-resolution media sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts, but they were not fully encrypted the way iMessage chats are.
But Apple’s description for iOS 26.5 says, “This update introduces support for end-to-end encrypted RCS (beta) messaging.” That means messages can’t be read while they’re in transit between supported devices.
And Sameer Samat, the head of Android at Google, said on X, “Today, we’re starting to roll out end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between Android and iPhone users! This cross-industry effort replaces outdated SMS with a more secure & private way to chat, no matter what phone you have.”
Monday’s update uses the latest GSMA RCS Universal Profile standard to ensure that only the sender and recipient can read message contents, with encrypted conversations marked by a lock icon in the Messages app.
The security feature comes enabled by default, though both users must have compatible software and supported carriers for encryption to activate.
U.S. carriers that support end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging
Beyond iOS 26.5, iPhone users must be connected to a wireless carrier that supports this new feature. And the Android user must also be connected to a carrier that supports it and be using the latest version of Google Messages.
Apple revealed the full list of U.S. carriers that support end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging at this time:
- AT&T
- Boost Mobile
- C Spire
- Cellcom Wisconsin
- Consumer Cellular
- Cox Mobile
- Cricket
- Family Mobile
- FirstNet
- Metro by T-Mobile
- Mint Mobile
- Nex-Tech Wireless
- PureTalk
- Red Pocket
- Spectrum
- Strata
- T-Mobile
- TracFone / Straight Talk
- Ultra Mobile
- UScellular
- Verizon
- Visible
- Xfinity Mobile
Canadians can check the list on Apple’s website.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 26 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh SE/30 (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer.
That’s because he’s a “tablet first” type of guy. Rather than use a Macbook, he connects a keyboard case to the iPad. And instead of a desktop Mac, he connects his tablet to a 27-inch display and full-size keyboard. (So don’t try to tell him that everyone has to use a Mac to be productive.)
Before coming to Cult of Mac, Ed wrote for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
