After years of iPhone and Android users living like neighbors who refused to speak to each other safely, Apple and Google have finally decided to come together and address the issue.
Yesterday, Apple released iOS 26.5, which included beta support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhones and Android phones. This simply means your messages between an iPhone and an Android are now private, and no one can read them without authorization.
According to a blog post from Apple, the company says, "Apple and Google have led a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services (RCS), making the cross-platform messaging format that replaces traditional SMS more secure and private."
To use this update, you'll need to be running iOS 26.5 and have the latest Google Messages app. Your carrier has to support it, too. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all do.
How do you know if a chat is secure?
Once you see a lock icon at the top of the conversation, you know your conversation is secure. "Encryption is on by default and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations," Apple says.
For those who are still annoyed any time they text their Android friends and that green bubble appears, I have bad news. That doesn't seem like it's changing anytime soon. Apple still seems to get preferential treatment, as its messages still stay blue. You'll just have to live with it for now.
Apple says, "iMessage was built with privacy in mind and has always been end-to-end encrypted. It remains the best way to communicate between Apple devices." Google, on the other hand, is thrilled. Android boss Sameer Samat called it an "amazing milestone" with a rocket ship emoji. Even Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai shared the post. That's how big this is for them.
This comes after many years of no RCS support on Apple devices, iMessage being a walled garden, and green bubbles becoming a social stigma. Pressure from regulators and a long campaign from Google appear to have finally moved the needle.
Now, Android users can text iPhone users securely without needing to switch to other platforms like Signal and WhatsApp.
The bubbles are still green. But at least they're not a privacy risk anymore.
Also, this wasn't the only update that came with the release of iOS 26.5. Apple also added suggested places in Apple Maps, improvements to Magic Keyboard and accessory pairing, Pride luminance wallpapers, viewing and reacting to notifications on third-party watches, and many more updates.
