For some time now, with the arrival of RCS support on the iPhone, communication between Apple and Android phones has improved exponentially. Now we can send photos, videos, and files to any Android device completely free of charge, leaving SMS limitations behind. However, Apple has just announced an even bigger step forward: the introduction of end-to-end encryption. And that’s not the only surprise.
A major upgrade for messaging with Android
A few days ago, Apple confirmed in a statement to MacRumors that an upcoming update will bring end-to-end encryption to RCS conversations. This is a significant change that will ensure only we and our recipients can access our messages. But with this announcement, Apple is also confirming something else.
The key point is that end-to-end encryption will arrive with Universal Profile 3.0 of the RCS standard. In other words, announcing this encryption is the same as saying Apple will support version 3.0 of the standard. This marks a substantial upgrade from version 2.4, which we currently have in iOS 18, and it brings several new features. What are they? The following:
- Message replies: We’ll be able to keep conversations much more organized, as we can reply to specific messages within a chat in a structured way.
- Message editing: Finally, we’ll be able to correct mistakes or change the content of a message after sending it.
- Undo send: If we send a message by mistake, we can delete it before the recipient reads it.
- Full Tapbacks: Reactions like hearts, smiley faces, or exclamation marks will be properly displayed on Android, preventing those awkward text messages describing reactions.
- Rich links: Web page previews and multimedia content will be displayed with enhanced formatting, allowing us to see a quick preview before opening them.
While these features have been available in iMessage for years, we will now be able to enjoy them even when talking to someone who doesn’t have an iPhone. This is great news for effective communication that doesn’t rely on apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
When will the RCS upgrade arrive?
Apple has not specified the exact iOS version that will introduce RCS 3.0 support, but all signs point to it arriving with iOS 19. If that’s the case, we’re looking at September 2025.
Of course, Apple could surprise us sooner, but in any case, this is a long-awaited upgrade that will completely change how we communicate with Android users. While iMessage remains the best option within the Apple ecosystem, full RCS support makes cross-platform messaging far more functional, secure, and flexible. Without a doubt, this is great news.
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