A long-awaited step
Since Apple adopted RCS in iOS 17.4, the lack of end-to-end encryption in cross-platform conversations with Android users remained the key security weakness compared to iMessage. With iOS 27, Apple announces E2EE for RCS, initially in developer beta form.
What changes in practice
RCS conversations between iPhone and Android devices supporting the encrypted standard will be protected end-to-end, preventing carriers and intermediaries from reading content. This also moves toward the secure interoperability mandated under the EU's Digital Markets Act. MacRumors flagged the feature among the notable minor additions surfacing from the iOS 27 developer beta released on June 8.
Timeline and caveats
The feature is in beta: it remains unclear when it will reach general users or whether it requires the Android recipient to also use an RCS-compatible app supporting the encrypted profile. Apple provided no further technical details on stage.