Apple to support end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging soon
Apple has announced plans to integrate end-to-end encryption (E2EE) into its support for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This move comes after the GSM Association (GSMA), which oversees the RCS standard, initiated efforts to incorporate E2EE for cross-platform messaging between Android and iPhone in September last year. Although GSMA has just unveiled the new RCS specification, the timeline for Apple's implementation remains unspecified.
Apple first adopted RCS with iOS 18.1, replacing SMS for Android communications and introducing features like high-resolution media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators, but without encryption. The upcoming addition of E2EE will block third-party access, including telecom providers, to message content, enhancing user privacy.
While Google Messages already offers E2EE for RCS texts, this is limited to exchanges where both participants use Google Messages. Apple's initiative will close a significant security gap in cross-platform messaging, aligning more closely with Google's encryption standards.
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Related news
External links
- RCS Encryption: A Leap Towards Secure and Interoperable MessagingGSMA Newsroom • Official source
- Apple will soon support encrypted RCS messaging with Android usersThe Verge
- Apple sharing RCS encryption with Android usersMashable
- Apple to Support Encrypted RCS Messaging in Future Software UpdateMacRumors
- Apple Will Fully Encrypt RCS Messages Between Androids and iPhonesGizmodo
- Apple will finally enable encrypted RCS messages between iOS and Android, and it's about timeTechRadar
Comments
How sure are we they haven't built a backdoor for some government?
I wouldn't expect anything remotely confidential to be sent over text message, frankly I don't use text messages, but if I did, I'd treat them as I treat email, i.e. absolutely open for anyone to see
You can't be. But here's some good reading on Apple recently regarding privacy. https://ground.news/article/apple-drops-encryption-feature-for-uk-users-after-government-reportedly-demanded-backdoor-access https://ground.news/article/apple-challenging-legality-of-uks-secret-demand-to-globally-compromise-icloud-encryption
Great, now when will there be any Android client with RCS support that NOT FROM GOOGLE? Oh wait, never - Google made sure of it.
I thought that too, but apparently there are still some loopholes that haven't been closed yet: https://9to5google.com/2025/02/03/samsung-messages-rcs-galaxy-s25/
Would probably take a few years but I'm sure more and more SMS client will slowly start to support RCS overtime.
Darlene Sonalder, that's currently not even possible. RCS on Android is proprietary and basically restricted to Google. Even Samsung quit. To use it, you have to become an official partner, and unless you are a mobile carrier, Google will tell you to F off. https://jibe.google.com/