Official Press Release Link
https://www.apple.com/kr/newsroom/2026/05/end-to-end-encrypted-rcs-messaging-begins-rolling-out-today-in-beta/
Apple and Google have led industry-wide efforts to introduce end-to-end encryption for RCS (Rich Communication Services), making this cross-platform messaging format a safer alternative to traditional SMS.
Starting today, iPhone users with iOS 26.5 installed who use supported carriers, and Android users using the latest version of Google Messages will begin receiving beta access to end-to-end encrypted RCS messages. With end-to-end encryption applied to RCS messages, the content cannot be read while it is being transmitted between devices. Users can identify that a conversation is end-to-end encrypted by a new lock icon that appears in RCS chats. Encryption is enabled by default and will automatically activate over time for both new and existing RCS conversations.
iMessage was designed with privacy in mind and is always end-to-end encrypted, making it the best way to communicate between Apple devices.
Starting today, iPhone users with iOS 26.5 installed will see a new lock icon in RCS chats indicating that messages are end-to-end encrypted.
