Apple's RCS Messaging Upgrade: End-to-End Encryption and Modern Features Coming Soon

Apple is preparing to roll out significant upgrades to RCS messaging on iPhone, with end-to-end encryption and modern messaging features expected to arrive very soon. The company has been working on these improvements since last year, and recent evidence suggests they're on the verge of release.

The Current State of RCS on iPhone

When Apple first introduced RCS support with iOS 18, it shipped with version 2.4 of the protocol. This was a barebones implementation that handled only the basics: read receipts, higher quality photos, and typing indicators. Most notably, it lacked end-to-end encryption entirely because the open RCS standard didn't include this feature at the time.

However, the RCS standard evolved quickly. Version 3.0, released last year, introduced end-to-end encryption capabilities. Apple confirmed in March that it would support this encrypted messaging standard across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.

What's Coming with RCS 3.0 and 2.7

The upgrade to RCS 3.0 brings end-to-end encryption, which Apple has described as "a powerful privacy and security technology." But that's not the only improvement coming to iPhone users who communicate with Android devices.

RCS version 2.7, which Apple is also adopting, brings several modern messaging features that bring RCS more in line with platforms like iMessage:

• In-line replies: The ability to reply directly to specific messages in a conversation
• Proper support for reactions: Moving beyond the current fallback text that says "User added x reaction to message"
• Custom reactions: Support for a wider range of emoji reactions
• Message editing: The ability to edit sent messages
• Message deletion/recall: The ability to delete messages after sending

Currently, RCS reactions on iPhone are handled poorly, with the system simply parsing fallback text rather than properly displaying emoji reactions. The upcoming upgrades will fix this and bring a much more modern messaging experience.

Evidence of Imminent Release

Recent iOS 26.3 beta releases have included new carrier bundles that suggest Apple is preparing for these features to be enabled soon. Some carriers will be able to enable end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging by default, indicating that the infrastructure is nearly ready.

While these features aren't expected in iOS 26.3, the carrier bundle changes suggest they could arrive with iOS 26.4 betas later this month. This aligns with Apple's timeline for rolling out major messaging improvements.

Why This Matters

The upgrade to RCS with end-to-end encryption and modern features represents a significant improvement in cross-platform messaging. For years, iPhone users communicating with Android users have been limited by the green bubble experience, which lacks many of the features available in iMessage.

These improvements will narrow the gap between iMessage and RCS, making conversations between iPhone and Android users more feature-rich and secure. The addition of end-to-end encryption addresses one of the major privacy concerns with RCS, while features like message editing and inline replies bring it closer to the modern messaging experience users expect.

Looking Ahead

As Apple continues to refine its RCS implementation, users can expect a more seamless and feature-rich experience when messaging across platforms. The company's commitment to supporting the latest RCS standards demonstrates its willingness to improve cross-platform communication while maintaining its focus on privacy and security.

The upcoming iOS 26.4 betas will likely reveal more details about the rollout timeline and specific feature implementations. For now, iPhone users can look forward to a significantly enhanced RCS experience that brings their cross-platform messaging capabilities much closer to parity with iMessage.

What are your thoughts on these RCS messaging upgrades? Are you excited about the prospect of end-to-end encryption and modern messaging features when communicating with Android users? Share your opinions in the comments below.