In a significant update for secure messaging, Apple has released a new developer beta of iOS and iPadOS 26.4 with support for end-to-end encryption in Rich Communications Services messages. The feature is currently available for testing and is expected to reach users in a future update across iOS, iPadOS, macOS and watchOS.
Apple confirmed in its release notes that “End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers.” The company added, “Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices.” However, the encryption support is limited to conversations between Apple devices and does not extend to platforms such as Android. The move comes nearly 1 year after the GSM Association announced support for end to end encryption for RCS messaging. To enable this feature, Apple will need to adopt RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which is based on the Messaging Layer Security protocol.
The latest beta also introduces an option for applications to opt in to the full safeguards of Memory Integrity Enforcement for stronger memory safety protection. Earlier, apps were limited to Soft Mode. Apple unveiled Memory Integrity Enforcement in September last year to counter advanced mercenary spyware attacks. The company described it as offering “always-on memory safety protection” across key attack surfaces, including the kernel and more than 70 userland processes, without affecting performance.
According to a report by MacRumors, iOS 26.4 is also expected to enable Stolen Device Protection by default for all iPhone users. This feature adds an extra layer of security by requiring Face ID or Touch ID authentication for sensitive actions such as accessing saved passwords and credit cards when the device is away from familiar locations like home or work. It also introduces a 1 hour delay before Apple Account password changes, giving users time to mark a stolen device as lost.
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