iOS 26.5's Messages app has RCS end

9to5Mac • March 30, 2026 • technology

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iOS 26.5 beta 1 is now available for developers, introducing a new Apple Maps feature and hints of an in-app subscription option, but no updates to Siri.
The update reintroduces end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS messaging in the Messages app, a feature initially tested in iOS 26.4 beta but not released publicly.
The E2EE toggle for RCS messaging is enabled by default in iOS 26.5 beta 1 and is accessible via Settings ⇾ Apps ⇾ Messages ⇾ RCS Messaging.
Unlike the iOS 26.4 beta, the release notes for iOS 26.5 beta do not indicate that E2EE for RCS will be withheld from the public release, suggesting it may ship with the final version.
Apple notes that E2EE for RCS is still in beta and may not be available on all devices or carriers, ensuring encrypted conversations cannot be read while transmitted between devices.