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Apple will soon support encrypted RCS messaging with Android users Comments Drawer * News Apple will soon support encrypted RCS messaging with Android users 'We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.' 'We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.' by Jess Weatherbed Updated Mar 14, 2025, 11:28 AM UTC * * * STK071_APPLE_B STK071_APPLE_B Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge Jess Weatherbed Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews. iPhone and Android users will be able to exchange end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messages in the near future thanks to newly updated RCS specifications. The GSM Association announced that the latest RCS standard includes E2EE based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol, enabling interoperable encryption between different platform providers for the first time. The GSM Association said it had started working to enable E2EE on messages sent between Android and iPhone in September last year. E2EE is a privacy and security feature that prevents third parties, such as messaging providers or cell carriers, from viewing the content of your texts. The GSMA says the new RCS standard was developed in collaboration with "mobile operators, device manufacturers, and technology providers," including Apple. "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 Apple spokesperson Shane Bauer. "We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates." Apple introduced RCS support to iPhones as part of an iOS 18 update in September. While Apple's proprietary iMessage system already supported E2EE, this wasn't extended to RCS messaging because the previous RCS standard didn't provide cross-platform support. Google Messages also enabled E2EE by default for RCS texts, but only conversations between Google Messages users were E2EE, and not those exchanged with iMessage users or users of other RCS clients on Android. "We've always been committed to providing a secure messaging experience, and Google Messages users have had end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messaging for years," Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez told The Verge. "We're excited to have this updated specification from GSMA and work as quickly as possible with the mobile ecosystem to implement and extend this important user protection to cross-platform RCS messaging." Update, March 14th: Added statement from Google. See More: * Android * Apple * Google * iOS * iPhone * News * Tech Most Popular Most Popular 1. Tesla Cybertruck deliveries reportedly on hold because the trim is flying off 2. Tesla registrations -- and public opinion -- are in a free fall 3. T-Mobile is raising prices on some of its prized legacy plans 4. Google is officially dumping Assistant for Gemini 5. Apple will soon support encrypted RCS messaging with Android users Installer A weekly newsletter by David Pierce designed to tell you everything you need to download, watch, read, listen to, and explore that fits in The Verge's universe. Email (required) [ ] Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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