Apple’s Worldwide Builders Convention (WWDC) is only one month away. The annual occasion will see Apple launch the subsequent iterations of the software program that powers its varied gadgets, together with iOS 27 for the iPhone.
However Apple will even be rolling out a brand new model of iOS earlier than then, and it’ll characteristic an enhancement that can profit Android customers as a lot as Apple’s personal. Right here’s what it’s essential to know.
iOS 26.5 brings encrypted RCS messaging to iPhone
Apple’s iMessage protocol has lengthy had end-to-end encryption for textual content messages despatched between Apple gadgets. However for texts despatched between Android telephones and iPhones, encryption has all the time been absent.
And that wasn’t the fault of Apple or Android maker Google. It’s as a result of, for years, the messages despatched between the platforms had been customary quick message service (SMS), which lacked trendy options equivalent to learn receipts and, extra importantly, end-to-end encryption.
Again in iOS 18, Apple added support for a brand new form of textual content message protocol, known as “wealthy communication companies”—higher identified by its acronym, RCS. This new RCS protocol introduced learn receipts, typing indicators, and different options to straightforward textual content messages, tremendously bettering interactivity in messaging between iPhone and Android gadgets.
Sadly, the way in which the RCS protocol has been carried out on iOS since then has meant that one of many protocol’s core advantages—end-to-end encryption—has not been adopted.
However with iOS 26.5, that modifications.
Now, supplied your service helps end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, RCS texts despatched between iPhones and Android gadgets on the identical community will likely be unreadable to anybody however the sender and receiver—even Apple and your mobile service supplier.
What iPhones will help RCS end-to-end encryption?
Within the iOS 26.5 beta launch notes, Apple states that new end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging will work with “supported carriers” and “roll out over time.”
The corporate factors customers to this support document, which lists which carriers help RCS messaging.
Along with service help, you’ll want an iPhone able to working iOS 26.5. That features any iPhone from the iPhone 11 collection or later.
These utilizing Android gadgets will even want to verify their cellphone’s software program and service help end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging.
When can I obtain iOS 26.5?
Apple has been beta-testing iOS 26.5 for a while now, and this week it launched the ultimate candidate of the software program, suggesting a public launch is imminent.
That launch may occur at present, although it’s extra prone to come someday subsequent week, maybe as quickly as Monday or Tuesday. IPhone customers will have the ability to improve to iOS 26.5 by opening the Settings app, tapping Normal, after which tapping Software program Replace.
Along with end-to-end encrypted RCS help, iOS 26.5 could have a brand new “Recommended Locations” characteristic in Apple Maps that recommends companies or different places you might be all for, in addition to new Pleasure wallpapers and different enhancements.
