Apple is taking steps to enhance the security of cross-platform messaging. Recent findings in the iOS 26.3 Beta 2 suggest that the company is working on integrating end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS). This move follows the release of the RCS Universal Profile 3.0 by the GSM Association, which established an industry-wide encryption standard.
While Apple introduced RCS support with iOS 18, it initially excluded previous proprietary encryption implementations. Adopting Version 3.0 will finally allow for secure, encrypted communication between Android and Apple devices. Discovered beta code reveals user interface elements that indicate encryption status and provide settings for users to manage these security features.
Beyond security, the update to Universal Profile 3.0 promises a more robust messaging experience. Users can expect support for editing and unsending messages within a specific time limit, inline replies, and improved emoji reactions. These enhancements apply to text, group chats, and multimedia file transfers like photos and videos.
While a specific release date remains unconfirmed, the technology could arrive with the stable release of iOS 26.3 or potentially be delayed until iOS 27. Meanwhile, the industry is already moving toward Universal Profile 3.1, which introduces features like spam reporting, improved audio codecs, and better reliability on unstable connections.