Ironically, a major uncertainty is E2EE itself. This is now being probed by the UK government, which has decided to use Apple as its test case in a campaign to introduce backdoors into the encryption used in iCloud services. So far, Apple is resisting, choosing to disable security rather than allow surveillance. Talks are reportedly ongoing.

Text messages sent between iPhones and Android devices will soon benefit from end-to-end encryption (E2EE), after the GSM Association yesterday published new specifications for th

With the GSMA releasing new RCS specs, Apple pledges to 'add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.'

When Apple added RCS support to iOS 18, the company used an older version of the protocol. This caused chat messages between iPhone and Android users to be unencrypted. Fortunately, Apple has already agreed to update to the latest RCS protocol, thereby permanently fixing the issue.

A GSMA press release announced the RCS standard will adopt encryption measures for users, Apple prepares a rollout.

‘We will add support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in future software updates.’

Apple finally brought RCS messaging to iPhones with the release of iOS 18 in September of 2024. However, it wasn't perfect as end-to-end encryption wasn't available between iPhones and Android devices. In December, the FBI warned Apple and Android users to avoid RCS messaging because of the missing encryption.

Both Apple and Google will work to support a new specification allowing this as soon as possible. The GSM Association (GSMA, no relation to us)