iOS 26.4 beta adds support for testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging

Chance Miller | Feb 16 2026 - 10:13 am PT

Apple added RCS support to iPhone with iOS 18.1, enabling richer cross-platform messaging between iPhone and Android users. This included things like typing indicators, read receipts, and high-resolution photo and video attachments.

Last March, Apple announced its plans to add support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messages.

Now, iOS 26.4 beta 1, which is rolling out today, adds an early way to test end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging on iPhone.

First, I want to note that what’s included in iOS 26.4 is a limited initial test of RCS end-to-end encrypted messaging.

Additionally, the feature will not actually launch as part of the iOS 26.4 update. Apple says that end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging will be available to customers in a future iOS 26 software update.

Here’s how it works.

What’s new in iOS 26.4

iOS 26.4 adds a new toggle in the Settings app that enables support for testing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging. This toggle is enabled by default.

However, Apple says the capability will gradually roll out to beta users and become available to more users throughout the testing period. So, just because you see the toggle in Settings does not mean you’ll actually be able to test RCS encrypted messaging.

In this initial test implementation of the feature, RCS encryption is available only on iPhone-to-iPhone messaging. So, that essentially means communication between iPhone users who have iMessage disabled.

As it stands right now, you can’t currently test the feature with RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices. Apple says the capability will later be available for testing across platforms.

Apple has also updated the Messages app interface to accommodate these changes. When you message someone with RCS encryption enabled, you will see a new lock icon in the chat thread.

This lock icon will also appear on all iMessage threads. iMessage, of course, has supported end-to-end encryption since 2011.

9to5Mac’s Take

I think it’s important to once again note that this is just a test of RCS encryption on iPhone. The feature is rolling out gradually to iOS 26.4 beta users, and is only supported on iPhone-to-iPhone messaging for the time being.

It is, however, an important step in Apple adding full support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging for all iPhone users. This will come in a future iOS 26 software update.

Here’s what Apple says in its developer release notes for iOS 26.4:

RCS end-to-end encryption is now available for testing in this beta. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in a future software update for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices. In this beta, RCS encryption is available for testing between Apple devices and is not yet testable with other platforms.

iOS 26.4 is rolling out now to developer beta testers. A public beta will be released at a later point.

Spot anything else new in the update? Let us know down in the comments.

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