iOS 26.3 Beta 2 Reveals RCS End-to-End Encryption Code

Apple has released the second public beta of iOS 26.3, revealing new code that points to upcoming end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between iPhones and Android devices. The update, available to testers four weeks after the initial beta, includes references to carrier support for the security feature, which could enhance privacy in cross-platform chats. The beta arrived on Wednesday, following a holiday break in Apple's testing cycle, and matches the build provided to developers the previous day.

Developers examining the iOS 26.3 beta 2 code identified strings indicating preparation for RCS end-to-end encryption, a capability first promised by Apple nearly a year ago with the introduction of RCS support in iOS 18. Currently, RCS messages exchanged between iPhone and Android users offer improved features over traditional SMS and MMS, such as higher-quality photos and videos, but lack the end-to-end encryption that protects iMessage conversations. The new code includes a "SupportsE2EE" flag and carrier bundle settings that would allow mobile operators to enable or disable encryption at the network level.

These settings appear initially for France's major carriers, including...