If you've been texting between an iPhone and Android phone, you've probably noticed improvements like better photo quality and read receipts. But there's been one major security gap that's about to get fixed.
According to PhoneArena, Apple has been testing enhanced security features in iOS 26 beta versions that would finally bring full encryption to text messages between iPhones and Android devices.
When Apple added RCS messaging support last September, it brought major improvements like high-quality media sharing and typing indicators. But unlike iPhone-to-iPhone messages, these cross-platform texts were only partially protected - vulnerable at certain points during transmission.
This became more concerning when the FBI recently warned against texting between different phone types after hackers infiltrated major carriers. The attack showed how these messages could be intercepted.
The fix is end-to-end encryption, meaning only you and the person you're texting can read your messages - not Apple, Google, your carrier, or hackers.
Apple confirmed it's working on this, stating they "will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates."
Early signs suggest the encryption feature might debut with iOS 26, possibly within weeks. However, Apple hasn't committed to a specific timeline.
The bottom line: millions of people who text across different phone platforms are about to get a major privacy upgrade. Until then, consider using apps like WhatsApp or Signal for sensitive messages, as they already offer complete encryption.
Source: PhoneArena
