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Last Update: 08/01/2026 at 2:00 PM EST

Apple and Google Encrypt RCS Chats

Coverage from BleepingComputer, Droid Life, and others

Articles

3

Active Days

85

The Topic

Apple and Google Encrypt RCS Chats topic image

Apple and Google are extending end-to-end encryption to RCS conversations between iPhone and Android devices, while Google is also bringing client-side encrypted Gmail to eligible enterprise users on Android and iOS. The RCS rollout uses GSMA RCS Universal Profile 3.0 and Messaging Layer Security, but availability remains dependent on compatible software, carriers, and supported messaging clients. The developments improve protection for message contents while leaving metadata and some cloud backup risks unresolved.

First Article: 02/17/26

Latest Article: 05/12/26

Summary

  • Apple and Google support end-to-end encrypted RCS chats between iPhone Messages and Google Messages when compatible software and carrier services are in place.
  • The RCS encryption implementation is based on GSMA RCS Universal Profile 3.0 and the Messaging Layer Security protocol.
  • Apple’s initial RCS encryption testing was limited to conversations between Apple devices before cross-platform support was introduced.
  • RCS encryption remains marked as beta on Apple devices and may not be available across all carriers or devices.
  • Google Gmail users with qualifying Workspace licenses can compose and read client-side encrypted email natively in Android and iOS apps.
  • RCS end-to-end encryption protects message contents but does not necessarily eliminate metadata collection or unencrypted cloud backup exposure.

History

07/23/2026

The story now emphasizes that Apple and Google’s RCS encryption is moving into broader real-world deployment, with Apple marking it as beta on its side, while Google’s encrypted Gmail rollout is framed more specifically for qualifying Workspace enterprise users.

07/21/2026

The story has broadened from RCS encryption alone to include Google Workspace Gmail client-side encryption on mobile, while also adding more specific implementation details about the RCS standard and rollout path. The current version clarifies that cross-platform RCS encryption depends on GSMA Universal Profile 3.0 and MLS, and that Gmail encryption now requires enterprise licensing and administrator setup.

Featured

04-10-2026
BleepingComputer / Sergiu Gatlan
Google Rolls Out Gmail End-To-End Encryption On Mobile Devices
Google Workspace rolled out native Gmail end-to-end encryption on Android and iOS for eligible enterprise users starting in April 2025, using client-side encryption and customer-controlled keys.
02-17-2026
Droid Life
Apple Tests RCS Feature We've All Been Waiting For
Apple begins testing end-to-end encrypted RCS on iOS and iPadOS in a February 2026 beta, with future cross platform support planned.
05-12-2026
EFF / Thorin Klosowski
Victory! End-to-End Encrypted RCS Comes to Apple and Android Chats
Apple released iOS 26.5 enabling end-to-end encrypted RCS chats with Android via Google Messages when carriers support encryption and RCS Universal Profile 3.0.

Timeline: 85 Days

Feb 17Mar 3Mar 24Apr 7Apr 28May 12

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