Apple is preparing a notable update to Messages in iOS 26.5, and the biggest change centers on end-to-end encryption for RCS messages. If the rollout follows the current plan, conversations between iPhone and Android users will gain a much stronger layer of privacy than they have today.
The update has also moved closer to public release. Apple has already issued a release candidate build for developers, which usually means the final version is nearly ready.
What changes in Messages
RCS has long been seen as a more modern messaging standard than SMS, and iOS 26.5 is set to make it more secure inside Apple’s Messages app. With end-to-end encryption, the contents of RCS chats should stay protected while being sent between users.
Apple has already listed the change in its official changelog. That makes the encryption support more than a rumor, and it shows that the company is actively preparing the feature for iOS 26.5.
Not ready for everyone at launch
Even so, Apple says the feature will arrive in beta. That means it is not being presented as a fully finished release for all users from the start.
Carrier support will also matter. Apple says the feature will only be available through supported carriers, so availability may differ depending on the network being used.
The rollout will not happen all at once either. Apple says the feature will be distributed gradually over time, rather than turning on immediately for every device and every region on day one.
Why this matters for iPhone and Android users
The change is especially relevant for people who frequently message across platforms. Once the rollout expands, iPhone and Android users will be able to exchange RCS messages with end-to-end encryption in place.
That gives Messages a more privacy-focused direction, especially for everyday cross-platform communication. The update does not only add a new capability; it also reflects Apple’s effort to strengthen protection in routine messaging.
Because the feature remains in beta and depends on carrier support, adoption may be uneven at first. Some users may see it sooner than others, depending on where they are and which network they use.
iOS 26.5 appears close to release
The release candidate build already in the hands of developers is a strong sign that iOS 26.5 is nearing its public debut. In practical terms, that usually means the final release is not far away.
Apple’s official changelog gives a clearer picture of where the update is headed. Among the changes, end-to-end encryption for RCS stands out as one of the most important additions in iOS 26.5.
For iPhone owners, Messages is gaining a feature that better fits modern communication needs. For Android users who regularly talk with iPhone users, the change is also significant because it affects both platforms at once.
Apple is now laying the groundwork for RCS conversations between iPhone and Android to be protected by end-to-end encryption. Even if carrier support is not universal at first, the direction of the update points firmly toward stronger privacy in cross-platform messaging.
