Apple's anticipated support for end-to-end encryption in RCS messaging is still forthcoming, despite earlier commitments. This feature is expected to be incorporated into upcoming software updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS, with discussions around its implementation beginning last March following the release of RCS version 3.0.
The current iteration of RCS on Apple devices runs on version 2.4, which offers basic functionalities such as read receipts and higher quality images, lacking encryption capabilities. Future updates promise to introduce significant enhancements alongside encryption, including inline replies, custom reactions, and the ability to edit or delete messages.
As of now, the handling of reactions in RCS on iPhones is inadequate, with the system only providing fallback text rather than proper emoji support. The upcoming shift to RCS version 2.7 aims to align Apple's messaging platform more closely with competitors like iMessage, enhancing user experience considerably.
With the rollout of iOS 26.3 beta 2, reports indicate that some French carriers may enable encrypted RCS messaging by default, indicating a potential shift in how RCS is utilized across platforms.