RCS

iOS 26.5 enables end-to-end encryption for RCS messages between iPhone and Android users, extending across iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro devices. This cross-platform encryption standard reduces messaging fragmentation and enhances security for enterprise communications.

Apple has implemented encrypted RCS (Rich Communication Services) chat functionality on iPhone devices. This represents a significant shift in mobile messaging interoperability that could affect competitive dynamics between Apple and Android ecosystem players.

Google is partnering with Indian telecom carrier Airtel to integrate carrier-level spam filtering into RCS messaging services. This collaboration aims to address longstanding spam issues in India's messaging ecosystem through enhanced protection mechanisms.