iOS 26.4 Beta 2: Apple tests RCS encryption with Android
Apple has released a new developer beta for the iPhone. It allows encrypted RCS conversations towards Android to be tested for the first time – and more.
iOS 26: Apple still rolling out new features.
(Image: Apple)
After initial attempts between iPhones with end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for the SMS successor Rich Communication Services (RCS) under iOS 26.4 Beta 1, Apple is now starting “real” tests of the service. With the second beta of iOS 26.4 for developers, released overnight on Tuesday, it should now be possible to communicate securely towards Android as well. This is evident from the release notes for iOS 26.4 Beta 2. However, as before between iPhones, this does not apply to all mobile carriers – for some, the service is simply not activated.
First tests from Android to iPhone and vice versa
As Apple announces, it is initially only about “tests between Apple and Android devices.” On the Android side, the latest version of Google Messages must be present. A release of RCS-E2EE with the final version of iOS 26.4 is not currently planned. The feature will only come with a “later version” of iOS 26, according to the iPhone manufacturer, without providing exact details. The implementation is planned not only for iOS but also for iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
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Apple uses the E2EE standard for RCS proposed by the GSM Association – apparently as part of RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which promises further improvements, including E2EE group chats, the ability to edit messages later, tapbacks with emojis, and more. For all this to work, suitable carrier profiles delivered by the mobile carriers seem to be necessary. Google, on the other hand, has implemented E2EE via RCS between Android devices using its servers.
Further innovations in iOS 26.4 Beta 2
The second beta of iOS 26.2 for developers also brings other innovations. For example, there are graphical changes when editing the home screen (stronger Liquid Glass effect), a modified search in the Games app (input bar at the top), layout adjustments in the App Store and Apple Music, and so-called highlighting effects can now be deactivated in the accessibility section.
Finally, the distribution of beta updates will now automatically switch off if no new pre-release version has been installed for four months. The new AI playlist for Apple Music is still not available in Europe, it is currently only available to US users.
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