How to Make Sure End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging Is Enabled on Your iPhone

How to Make Sure End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging Is Enabled on Your iPhone

https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-make-sure-end-to-end-encrypted-rcs-messaging-is-enabled-on-your-iphone/

Publish Date: 2026-05-13 06:00:00

Source Domain: www.cnet.com

Apple released iOS 26.5 on Monday, and the update brought end-to-end encryption to Rich Communication Services messaging. Apple introduced RCS to all iPhones in 2024 when the company released iOS 18, but the messaging protocol lacked end-to-end encryption at the time. 

CNET

With RCS messaging, your iPhone gets features like typing indicators and the “Delivered” status message while messaging Android users. It also helps ensure high-quality videos and pictures are sent when texting between those devices. Then, with iOS 18.1, Apple brought RCS Business Messaging to iPhones, which means you’ll be able to chat with some businesses in Messages rather than a buggy web page. Apple wrote online that end-to-end encryption is on by default after updating to iOS 26.5 if your carrier supports it, and that encryption will be enabled for new and existing conversations over time. 

If you’re having issues with RCS on your iPhone, here’s how to check whether your carrier supports RCS, how to make sure it’s enabled on your iPhone and what to do if it’s still not working. And here’s how to make sure end-to-end encryption is enabled.

Does my carrier support RCS messaging?

Before enabling RCS messaging, you should know whether your carrier supports the protocol. Most carriers support RCS, but not all of them. If your iPhone is running iOS 26.5, here are all the US carriers that support RCS on your device.

• AT&T
• Boost Mobile
• C Spire
• Cellcom Wisconsin
• Consumer Cellular
• Cox Mobile
• Cricket
• Family Mobile
• FirstNet
• H20 Wireless
• Metro by T-Mobile
• Mint Mobile
• Nex-Tech Wireless
• PureTalk
• RedPocket Mobile
• Spectrum Mobile
• Strata
• T-Mobile
• Total Wireless
• TracFone / Straight Talk
• Ultra Mobile
• US Cellular
• Verizon
• Visible
• Xfinity Mobile

Apple brought RCS to iPhones with iOS 18.

Apple/CNET

If you live outside of the US, here’s how to check on your iPhone to see if your carrier supports RCS messaging on your device.

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap About.
4. Tap Carrier.

When you tap Carrier, it…

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