3 weeks ago
With today's merchandise of iOS 26.5, Apple has begun rolling retired beta support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging. As pinch each things RCS, location are immoderate basal requirements some you and nan recipient of your messages will request to fulfill earlier you messages are secured successful transit.
First, you'll request an iPhone moving iOS 26.5 connected to a wireless web that supports E2E encrypted messaging complete RCS. You tin find nan afloat database of compatible networks connected Apple's website. In nan US, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are each retired of nan gross pinch day-one support for nan protocol. As for your Android friends, they'll request nan latest type of Google Messages, moving connected a instrumentality connected to a compatible network.
On an iPhone, if you spot a caller fastener icon astatine nan apical of your RCS chats, nan speech you're successful is secure. "Encryption is connected by default and will beryllium automatically enabled complete clip for caller and existing RCS conversations," Apple notes. For connection betwixt different Apple devices, Apple will proceed to way messages done its ain iMessage protocol.
As is usually nan case, Apple besides dropped updates for iPadOS, macOS Tahoe and watchOS, each of which deed type 26.5 arsenic well. There aren't a ton of noteworthy features this clip out; nan main point of statement too encrypted RCS is simply a caller "suggested places" successful Maps that highlights places you whitethorn beryllium willing successful based connected caller searches and what's trending adjacent you. There is besides a new Pride-themed "Luminance" wallpaper that's rather lovely, colorful and customizable.
While I'm judge location will beryllium immoderate remaining quirks for Apple and Google to activity out, today's merchandise efficaciously brings our long RCS nightmare to an end. Green chat bubbles (and their associated stigma) whitethorn remain, but astatine slightest iOS and Android users tin yet chat pinch 1 different securely without turning to a third-party app for illustration Signal aliases WhatsApp. It whitethorn person taken years, a unit run of questionable value, and unit from Chinese regulators, but we sewage here.
