Apple will, at long last, enabling end-to-end encryption for RCS messages, allowing iPhones and Android phones to text each other with the security encryption provides for the first time.

Ironically, a major uncertainty is E2EE itself. This is now being probed by the UK government, which has decided to use Apple as its test case in a campaign to introduce backdoors into the encryption used in iCloud services. So far, Apple is resisting, choosing to disable security rather than allow surveillance. Talks are reportedly ongoing.

With the GSMA releasing new RCS specs, Apple pledges to 'add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.'

When RCS messaging became available on the iPhone with the rollout of iOS 18, the technical director of the GSM Association teased that the next major milestone for the messaging standard is the addition of interoperable end-to-end encryption.

The new specifications will use RCS Universal Profile 3.0, a cross-platform encryption protocol that will make it easier for iPhones and Android devices to identify each other. The profile allows for richer deep linking,

Phone and Android users will be able to exchange end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messages in the near future thanks to newly updated RCS specifications. The GSM Association announced that the latest RCS standard includes E2EE based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol,