February 25, 2026, 6:53 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Apple is advancing the development of iOS 26.4 and expanding a key security feature in the second beta version. For the first time, end-to-end encryption for RCS is being tested in exchanges between iPhone and Android.
RCS Encryption Across Platform Boundaries
With the first beta of iOS 26.4, Apple had already begun testing end-to-end encryption for RCS–but only for communication between iPhones. In the newly released Beta 2, the company is taking it a step further by testing encrypted RCS transmission for messages between iPhone and Android devices for the first time.
This opens up the security feature beyond Apple’s own platforms. The message is clear: RCS is intended to be more than just a technical replacement for traditional SMS in the long run.
RCS, short for Rich Communication Services, is considered a modern successor to SMS and MMS. The standard allows for the sending of high-resolution images and videos, read receipts, typing indicators, and more stable group chats. Unlike SMS, messages are sent over mobile data or Wi-Fi. With the newly tested end-to-end encryption, content is meant to be readable only on the devices involved. The prerequisite is that both the iPhone and the respective Android device support RCS and have the feature enabled.
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Feature Still in Testing Phase
In the official release notes for the second beta, Apple points out that the encrypted RCS implementation is still in a testing phase. Not all devices and carriers are fully supported yet. The company also clarifies that the feature will not be part of the final version of iOS 26.4. A broader availability is planned for a later update.
Technical Fixes and Optimizations
In addition to the RCS expansion, Apple lists numerous technical adjustments aimed primarily at developers. According to the release notes, Beta 2 includes bug fixes in various system frameworks, stability improvements for individual interfaces, and optimizations to APIs related to network communication and messaging. Additionally, minor inconsistencies in the interaction of individual system services are being addressed to further enhance the overall performance of the beta version.
A specific release date for the final version of iOS 26.4 is still not set. Apple traditionally does not provide fixed schedules for interim updates. With the predecessor iOS 26.3, several weeks passed between the first beta and the final release. It is expected that further test versions will follow this time as well.