Encrypted RCS on iOS 26.5: What’s New for iPhone Messaging
With iOS 26.5, Apple is rolling out iOS 26.5 RCS encryption in Messages, bringing end-to-end encrypted messaging to conversations between iPhones and Android devices that use compatible carriers and the latest Google Messages app. RCS (Rich Communication Services) is the modern successor to SMS, supporting high-resolution photos and videos, typing indicators, and delivery and read receipts. Apple first added RCS support in iOS 18, but those chats were not encrypted. Now, when iPhone RCS features use end-to-end encrypted messaging, messages are protected while in transit and cannot be read as they move between devices, according to Apple. Users can tell encryption is active when a new lock icon and “Encrypted” label appear in RCS chats. The feature is in beta, on by default, and will be automatically enabled over time for new and existing RCS conversations.
Why End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging Matters
RCS encryption closes long-standing security gaps in standard messaging protocols such as SMS and unencrypted RCS. Traditional SMS sends text in a way that can be intercepted or accessed by intermediaries, and early RCS deployments offered richer features but not necessarily strong protection. The GSMA, which maintains the RCS standard, only added formal support for end-to-end encryption recently, and Apple has been testing its own implementation on iOS 26 throughout the year. In iOS 26.5, encryption is handled at the device level, meaning only the sender and recipient can read message contents. This significantly raises the baseline security for cross-platform chats, making everyday conversations—from sharing photos to coordinating plans—much harder to snoop on. For users who regularly message across iOS and Android, this update brings iPhone RCS features much closer to the security offered by dedicated encrypted chat apps.
Liquid Glass Design Tweaks for Comfort and Consistency
Beyond security, iOS 26.5 refines Apple’s Liquid Glass design language to make the interface more comfortable and consistent. Users who are sensitive to motion effects gain a more reliable Reduce Motion setting, which now better tones down Liquid Glass animations across the system. This helps reduce visual fatigue and discomfort caused by shifting, fluid-like transitions. Apple is also adding a Reduce Bright Effects option that dials back sudden flashes when you tap or interact with elements, making the UI easier on the eyes in low-light environments. Media playback gets a usability boost as well: subtitle and caption settings are now directly accessible from the captions icon while something is playing, cutting down on menu diving. Together, these Liquid Glass design improvements make iOS 26.5 feel more polished while giving users finer control over how dynamic—and how intense—the visual experience should be.
Better Typing and Other Quality-of-Life Updates
iOS 26.5 also targets everyday usability, starting with the keyboard. Apple notes improved keyboard accuracy when typing quickly, a response to user complaints about frequent autocorrect errors and missed taps. For anyone who lives in messaging apps and email, more reliable predictions and fewer mistakes can be as impactful as headline features. Outside of typing, the update introduces several small but meaningful enhancements: eight new emoji, including an orca, trombone, landslide, ballet dancer, and distorted face; upgrades to Freeform with advanced image tools and a premium content library; and productivity touches like urgent flags and filters in Reminders. Music and media get smarter too, with a Playlist Playground beta that builds playlists from descriptions, offline music recognition that queues results until you reconnect, and full-screen album and playlist backgrounds for a more immersive look. These additions round out iOS 26.5 beyond its security-focused changes.