iOS 26.4 beta 2 now lets iPhones send encrypted RCS messages to Android — here's how it works

Last week saw Apple release the first iOS 26.4 beta, which included a bunch of new features and changes for Apple's mobile software. Included among them was the news that Apple had started testing encrypted RCS messaging, but only between iPhones. Now, with the release of iOS 26.4 beta 2, that's changed.

At the time, I hoped that it wouldn't be long before Apple started testing encryption for RCS messages sent between iPhones and Androids as well. Though not even I would have suspected it would happen quite this quickly. But I'm glad that it has.

iPhone beta testers will need to have the latest version of iOS 26.4 beta installed if they want to take part in cross-platform testing. Android users will need to have the latest version of Google Messages.

Apple has been quick to reiterate that this feature is going to be in testing for a while. It won't be shipping with the final version of iOS 26.4, nor is it available for all devices and carriers. Basically, you have to be one of the lucky few beta testers to be able to send encrypted messages to your Android-wielding cohorts.

Apple has previously confirmed that RCS won't change the green bubble situation. So Android users will remain green, regardless of encryption status, while iMessages are displayed in blue. However, testers will see a lock icon on all encrypted messages, so they know how secure their conversations are.

That change applies to RCS and iMessage, so there's absolutely no confusion. No lock means your messages are about as secure as an open gate.

The benefit of RCS messaging between iPhone and Android is that all the old issues from cross-platform messaging have gone away. Larger file sharing limits mean photos and videos won't be compressed to oblivion, and users will benefit from modern features like read receipts, typing indicators, reaction emojis and more.

And soon, everyone will be able to benefit from end-to-end encryption. Which secures your messages from any prying eyes that may try to intercept them en route to their destination. We just don't know when it'll be available to everyone, since all Apple has said is that it will arrive in "future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases."

In other words, we're going to have to wait for Apple to decide everything's working properly.

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