All articles tagged with #rcs
Apple and Google are enabling end‑to‑end encrypted RCS cross‑platform messaging in the iOS 26.5 beta, embedding encryption into the GSMA’s RCS Universal Profile so iPhone and Android users can chat privately automatically when both parties are on a supported device and carrier; major carriers in the US and Canada are onboard, but it’s a beta rollout and may take time to reach all users.
Apple's iOS 26.5 adds default end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android, enabling secure conversations with a lock icon; the feature rolls out to supported carriers and Google Messages and reflects a GSMA cross-industry effort to modernize messaging, while iOS/iPadOS also receive fixes for 50+ vulnerabilities.
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android, brings a new Maps 'Suggested Places' feature (with groundwork for ads), expands EU support for third-party wearables (proximity pairing, notifications, and Live Activities), adds an option to choose which attachments to transfer when moving from iPhone to Android, introduces an Inuktitut keyboard, and fixes over 50 security vulnerabilities.
Apple’s iOS 26.5 adds end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging for Android users via the Messages app, with a lock icon and an “Encrypted” badge; encryption will roll out by default to new and existing RCS conversations, and Android users must be on the latest Google Messages. The update also brings new Maps wallpapers and ads, plus iPadOS 26.5, macOS Tahoe 26.5, watchOS 26.5, tvOS 26.5, and visionOS 26.5.
Apple released iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5, introducing end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between iPhone and Android (beta), a new Maps 'Suggested Places' feature with ad groundwork, and a Pride Luminance wallpaper; updates are available OTA with carrier/region caveats, and Apple signals iOS 27/iPadOS 27 previews at WWDC.
iOS 26.5 adds end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging in beta for iPhone–Android chats via supported carriers, marking a gradual rollout as compatibility and carrier support vary; while RCS has generally improved cross‑platform messaging, VPNs and carrier limitations can still affect the experience.
Apple’s iOS 26.5 introduces three new features: (1) end‑to‑end encryption for RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices (beta, rolling out to supported carriers); (2) a new Suggested Places feature in Maps that offers location-based recommendations (with ads coming to the US and Canada later this year, labeled accordingly and with privacy protections); and (3) a Pride Luminance wallpaper that refracts a spectrum of colors on iPhone and iPad when running iOS 26.5/iPadOS 26.5. SMS remains unencrypted; Apple cautions the update RC suggests a global rollout next week, ahead of iOS 27 at WWDC 2026.
Apple confirms iOS 26.5 adds default-end-to-end encryption for cross‑platform RCS messages between iPhone and Android, with rollout tied to carrier support for the latest RCS and a Settings toggle to enable it; the feature, still in beta, is part of RCS Universal Profile 3.0 built on Messaging Layer Security and aims to bring iPhone–Android chats on par with iMessage security, while adding capabilities like editing, deleting, and inline replies as rollout continues.
iOS 26.5, expected in May, is a relatively minor update that largely sets the stage for iOS 27. In beta, it hints at end-to-end encryption for RCS in Messages, adds local ads and a new "Suggested Places" feature in Maps with privacy protections, and includes a new Pride wallpaper. It also signals broader cross‑device support for third-party wearables and headphones in the EU under the Digital Markets Act, plus a few other small tweaks.
Samsung will retire the Samsung Messages app in July 2026 across the US, prompting users to switch to Google Messages for SMS/MMS/RCS. Google Messages offers typing indicators, higher‑quality media, multi‑device access, and Gemini AI features, and Samsung provides instructions to migrate. To switch, download Google Messages and set it as the default SMS app; Android 11+ users are unaffected but are advised to migrate. Older Galaxy Watch (Tizen) users may lose full chat history, while Wear OS watches will retain full conversations. Exact July date isn’t specified, and emergency messaging remains available after deactivation.
Samsung will deactivate its legacy Messages app in July, making the move to Google Messages mandatory to keep your chats. The switch unlocks RCS features, better group chats, higher‑quality media, and AI spam detection, but older Galaxy Watches may lose full conversation history, and some caveats apply for older devices.
Samsung will discontinue its Messages app in the US for Android 12+ devices this July (Android 11 and older are unaffected). Google Messages is the recommended replacement and now supports RCS with features like Wi‑Fi texting, high‑quality media sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, and end‑to‑end encryption. Other viable options include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and Signal, each offering different trade-offs in security, features, and cross‑device use.
Samsung is quietly phasing out Samsung Messages in the U.S., with a July 2026 cutoff and a shift toward Google Messages to standardize RCS. Newer Galaxy devices already default to Google Messages, while Samsung Messages becomes less available. The change is real but not uniformly announced, creating room for scam texts; the guidance is to verify via official sources, set Google Messages as the default SMS app, ensure chat history transfers, and take steps to reduce personal data exposure to deter scams.
Apple has released the first beta builds of iOS 26.5 and iPadOS 26.5 to developers for testing, with potential new Apple Intelligence Siri features that may wait until iOS 27. The update could also bring end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, plus EU plans for notification forwarding and proximity pairing for third-party wearables. No other features are confirmed yet, and developers can download the betas via Settings > General > Software Update.
GSMA’s final RCS Universal Profile 4.0 introduces Messaging-Initiated Video Calls (MIVC), enabling interoperable video calls from chats across devices and networks; however, Apple and Google have not yet announced support, and there’s no announced rollout timeline. The update also adds text formatting and higher‑quality media sharing.