Apple and Google have confirmed plans to implement end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for Rich Communication Services (RCS) messages exchanged between iPhone and Android devices.
This collaboration is set to elevate cross-platform messaging security by ensuring that communications are shielded from unauthorized access, marking a notable step in advancing privacy standards for mobile messaging.
GSMA’s Encryption Update Sets New Standards for Secure Messaging
The initiative follows the GSMA’s announcement of an updated RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which integrates the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) protocol.
This makes RCS the first large-scale messaging standard to support interoperable E2EE across multiple platforms. According to the GSMA, the updated profile ensures that messages, media, and files are protected from interception as they move between devices and networks.
RCS, designed to enhance traditional SMS, supports features like high-quality media sharing, read receipts, and improved group chat experiences.
Unlike SMS, RCS uses mobile data or Wi-Fi to transmit messages, offering a richer and more interactive communication format. The adoption of MLS strengthens this framework by encrypting data at every stage of the communication process, reducing risks of unauthorized interception.
Apple’s Evolving Strategy in Messaging Security
Apple introduced RCS support with the iOS 18, a move that enhanced message interoperability between iPhone and Android devices. However, E2EE was initially absent. Apple’s recent confirmation that E2EE will be added to RCS messages reflects a broader strategic alignment with industry privacy standards.
In an official statement, an Apple spokesperson noted, “End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported since the beginning, and now we are pleased to have helped lead a cross-industry effort to bring end-to-end encryption to the RCS Universal Profile.”
Once integrated, this encryption will extend across Apple’s platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, ensuring that cross-platform messages are protected with the same security that currently safeguards iMessage.
Google’s Commitment to Secure Messaging
Google has been at the forefront of RCS security advancements. The company introduced E2EE for one-on-one RCS chats in June 2021 and extended this feature to group chats in August 2023. This proactive approach reflects Google’s long-term investment in securing mobile communications across Android devices.
Speaking about the GSMA’s updated specification, Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez told The Verge, “We’ve always been committed to providing a secure messaging experience. We’re excited to see the updated RCS Universal Profile that ensures end-to-end encryption across platforms and are working closely with partners to bring this to users.”
Google’s alignment with the GSMA’s encryption standards will ensure that messages between Android and iOS devices are encrypted, eliminating long-standing security concerns over cross-platform communications.
Overcoming Technical Challenges for Cross-Platform Encryption
Integrating E2EE into RCS posed technical hurdles, particularly in securing group chats and ensuring reliable key management across devices.
The GSMA’s adoption of MLS addressed these complexities by establishing protocols that ensure security even when group participants join or leave chats. MLS also simplifies key management, enhancing both security and ease of use across platforms.
Tom Van Pelt, GSMA’s technical director, emphasized the importance of these developments: “RCS is now better equipped to handle modern security demands. We’re closing interoperability gaps and setting a new standard for secure messaging.”
These advancements follow earlier GSMA initiatives to bolster RCS security, including mechanisms to mitigate fraud risks and ensure message integrity. The updated Universal Profile ensures that encryption is consistently applied, providing a robust privacy framework for global users.
User Impact and Security Enhancements
Once implemented, E2EE in RCS will ensure that all messages, including attachments and media, are encrypted by default. This means that only the sender and recipient will have access to the message content, with no third-party—be it a network provider or service intermediary—able to intercept or decrypt the data. This approach mirrors the existing encryption framework in Apple’s iMessage and strengthens protections for users across platforms.
The integration of MLS will also improve the security of group chats, which have historically posed challenges for encryption protocols. With this advancement, even if participants join or leave a conversation, the integrity of the encryption will be maintained, safeguarding the entire message thread.
What Users Should Expect with the Upcoming Rollout
While Apple and Google have not provided specific release dates for the E2EE rollout, both have confirmed that the updates will arrive in future software versions. The implementation will extend across platforms, with Apple integrating E2EE into iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS. For Android users, Google will continue its ongoing efforts to expand E2EE within its Messages app.
The broader implementation also relies on the adoption of the updated Universal Profile by telecom providers and device manufacturers worldwide. Once fully integrated, users can expect encrypted messaging to be consistent across networks, offering uniform privacy protections regardless of the devices or services involved.
For Apple, this update extends the privacy-first approach of iMessage to RCS messaging, a move that has been widely anticipated since the initial rollout of RCS in iOS 18. For Google, the integration aligns with its longstanding goal of positioning RCS as the standard for secure, modern messaging on Android.
Broader Industry Implications
The move towards E2EE in RCS underscores a growing industry consensus that privacy and security should be fundamental features of modern messaging platforms. The collaboration between Apple, Google, and the GSMA reflects how industry leaders can work together to advance security standards that protect users while also ensuring interoperability across platforms.
This update also highlights the influence of industry bodies like the GSMA in shaping security protocols that affect global communications. The GSMA’s leadership in defining the Universal Profile and integrating MLS serves as a model for how industry cooperation can drive security improvements across complex ecosystems.
As more companies adopt the updated Universal Profile, it is likely that these security standards will influence other sectors of the tech industry. The focus on privacy and secure encryption may drive similar initiatives in other forms of digital communication, further embedding encryption as a default expectation rather than an optional feature.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Secure Messaging
As Apple and Google prepare for the full rollout of encrypted RCS messaging, the broader tech industry will be observing how this change influences user behavior and expectations. The move may set a precedent for other communication platforms, encouraging them to enhance their own security protocols.
For users, this means greater assurance that their conversations—whether one-on-one or in group settings—will be private and protected. The integration of MLS provides a scalable and efficient solution to maintaining encryption across diverse devices and operating systems, resolving key management challenges that have previously hindered secure cross-platform communication.
In the longer term, the integration of E2EE into RCS could signal broader trends towards stronger, standardized security protocols across global communication platforms. Whether through regulatory pressures or user demands, encryption is likely to become a standard feature across more services, ensuring consistent privacy protections in an increasingly interconnected world.
