SAN FRANCISCO, January 16, 2026, 09:23 PST
- Apple’s iOS 26.3 beta includes new carrier settings tied to end-to-end encryption for RCS messages.
- The references appear limited to a handful of French carriers and are not active yet, reports say.
- Apple has said it plans to support encrypted RCS in a future software update.
Apple’s iOS 26.3 test software includes a new carrier-level control that points to end-to-end encryption for RCS messages — the modern SMS replacement used for many iPhone-to-Android texts — according to a report that reviewed the beta files. The same report said the code shows the option only for four French carriers and that it is not switched on. (Android Authority)
The timing matters because RCS has become the default “in-between” for iPhone users who text Android owners without moving to a separate app. But those RCS chats on iPhones still lack end-to-end encryption, leaving a gap for anyone who assumes “modern messaging” also means private messaging. (heise online)
RCS, short for Rich Communication Services, is designed to replace SMS and MMS with features like typing indicators and better photo and video sharing. End-to-end encryption means only the sender and receiver can read the message content, even if it crosses carrier networks.
The new setting shows up in “carrier bundles,” configuration files tied to mobile operators. That is a clue — it suggests the feature may depend on carriers deciding when, where and how it turns on, rather than being a simple switch Apple can flip worldwide.
Apple listed iOS 26.3 beta 2 for developers on January 12, including build 23D5103d, on its software releases page. (Apple Developer)
For now, iOS 26.2 remains the latest shipping version for most iPhone users, Apple’s security releases page shows. (Apple Support)
Apple has tied its public pledge on encrypted RCS to a broader industry push. In March 2025, Apple spokesperson Shane Bauer said Apple would “add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages” in future updates, while Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez said the company would “work as quickly as possible” to help roll out the standard across the ecosystem. (The Verge)
The GSMA, the industry body behind the RCS Universal Profile specification, framed the encryption upgrade as foundational. Tom Van Pelt, a technical director at the GSMA, called it “the cornerstone of the new RCS Universal Profile release,” according to a telecoms.com report at the time. (Telecoms)
But there are clear risks and unknowns. A carrier-dependent switch can slow rollouts, create country-by-country gaps, and leave users guessing which chats are actually protected. Apple could also hold the feature for a later update if testing shows bugs or if operator support lags.
The move would also land in a crowded messaging market where rivals already sell privacy as a feature. Meta’s WhatsApp and Signal offer end-to-end encryption across platforms today, which is why many users default to them for sensitive conversations.
Still, even a partial step toward encrypted RCS would narrow a long-running weakness in iPhone-to-Android texting. The next clue will likely come from carrier updates and later iOS 26.3 test builds, not from the current beta’s dormant switch.
