SAN FRANCISCO, January 19, 2026, 07:30 PST
- Reports say iOS 26.3 beta builds hint at a newer RCS standard that could enable end-to-end encrypted iPhone-to-Android texts
- Apple’s iOS 26 runs on iPhone 11 models and newer; Apple Intelligence features require newer hardware
- Watchers expect iOS 26.3 to land in late January or early February as beta testing continues
Apple’s upcoming iOS 26.3 update could move iPhones closer to end-to-end encrypted texting with Android users, as signs in the latest beta point to a newer version of RCS messaging, a report said. The update is expected later this month, though Apple has not detailed what will ship in the final release. (The Financial Express)
The timing matters because iPhone-to-Android texting still breaks into two different worlds: iMessage on one side, and carrier messaging on the other. People bounce between phones, carriers and apps, and privacy is now part of the argument, not a footnote.
RCS — short for Rich Communication Services — is the carrier-provided messaging standard meant to modernise SMS with features like read receipts, typing indicators, and higher-quality media. Apple says RCS requires iOS 18 and a carrier plan that supports it, and availability varies by region and carrier. (Apple Support)
iOS 26.3 is already deep in testing, and expectations are building for a broader rollout in the final days of January or early February, Gulf News reported. It said Apple seeded a second developer beta on Jan. 12 and widened access with a public beta a day later. (Gulf News)
For eligible devices, Apple’s iPhone user guide lists iOS 26 as compatible with the iPhone 11 lineup and newer models, including the iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. (Apple Support)
Not every feature reaches every iPhone. Apple says its Apple Intelligence features run on newer models starting with the iPhone 15 Pro line, leaving older phones on the same iOS version without the on-device AI tools. (Apple)
Apple has been publicly committed to encrypted RCS for months, even as the timeline stays vague. “We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages … in future software updates,” Apple spokesperson Shane Bauer said in a March 2025 statement, while Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez said Google was “excited” about the GSMA update and would “work as quickly as possible” to implement it across the ecosystem. (The Verge)
That puts Apple into the same conversation as Google’s messaging push on Android, while keeping pressure on carriers — and on Apple’s own default experience — as users lean on WhatsApp, Telegram and other apps to avoid cross-platform glitches.
But the beta hints are not a guarantee. Apple could hold the most meaningful RCS security changes for a later point release, and carrier support can arrive unevenly, leaving users with a patchwork of features depending on where they live and who bills them each month.
For now, iOS 26.3 looks like another mid-cycle iPhone update that mixes feature tweaks with groundwork. The definitive list will come when Apple ships the release and posts its notes.
