When Apple introduced RCS messaging to its Messages app with iOS 18, it was lacking a significant characteristic: assist for end-to-end encryption.
Now, assist for end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS may arrive in your system with iOS 26.3.
Apple launched the second public beta of iOS 26.3 on Tuesday, greater than a month after the corporate launched iOS 26.2, which included extra methods to customise your iPhone’s Liquid Glass design.
Since it is a beta, I like to recommend downloading it on a tool aside from your main one. It isn’t the ultimate model of iOS 26.3, so the replace could also be buggy and have a brief battery life. My recommendation is to maintain these points on a secondary system.
Additionally, keep in mind that extra options could also be added to your iPhone when model 26.3 is formally launched. There is not any phrase on when Apple’s replace will likely be obtainable to most people.
Within the meantime, this is what options builders and beta testers can attempt now earlier than Apple releases iOS 26.3.
Do not miss any of our unbiased tech content material and lab-based critiques. Add CNET as a most popular Google supply.
Finish-to-end encrypted RCS messaging assist may come to iPhone
In accordance with AppleInsider, iOS 26.3 may lastly embrace assist for E2EE RCS messaging in Messages. A French developer often known as Tiino-X83 posted a screenshot on-line of what may very well be service bundles within the newest iOS 26.3 beta’s code. There’s additionally a brand new key titled “SupportsE2EE.”
These code components do not assure that end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging will likely be obtainable in your iPhone when Apple releases iOS 26.3 to most people. It may imply Apple is testing the performance first. AppleInsider additionally stated that the brand new key title seems in 4 bundles of wi-fi carriers that function in France, so this may very well be a regional-specific characteristic, particularly throughout testing.
If iOS 26.3 does embrace assist for end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging, it’ll then be as much as carriers to allow the messaging protocol on their community.
Switch from iPhone to Android
One other change within the iOS 26.3 beta thus far is a simple solution to switch your knowledge from an iPhone to an Android system.
For those who’ve thought-about switching from iPhone to Android, you’ll have been deterred by the switch course of. Android presents a five-step process to make this change simple, however a number of the steps embrace making ready your system by turning off FaceTime and Messages and connecting each units utilizing a cable.
With the iOS 26.3 beta, a brand new choice permits you to join your iPhone and Android units.
Go to Settings > Basic > Switch or Reset iPhone. Close to the underside of this web page is an choice referred to as Switch to Android. Faucet this and comply with the on-screen directions to switch photographs, messages, apps and extra to your Android system.
Notification forwarding to different units
The second iOS 26.3 beta eliminated the notification forwarding characteristic Apple launched with the primary beta. That characteristic may have allowed folks to ahead notifications to different units, like non-Apple Watch smartwatches.
“Notifications may be forwarded to at least one accent at a time,” Apple wrote within the menu’s description. “Notifications is not going to seem on Apple Watch whereas Notification Forwarding is turned on.”
Nonetheless, it seems Apple eliminated this characteristic from the second beta. It is doable Apple will tweak this characteristic and convey it again in a later beta or iOS model. This is not uncommon, as options launched throughout iOS beta cycles can change or be eliminated solely earlier than Apple makes that iOS model obtainable to the general public.
You will not see this menu within the newest iOS 26.3 beta.
These are just a few of the brand new options builders and public beta testers can attempt now with the second public beta of iOS 26.3. There’ll probably be extra betas earlier than the OS is launched to the general public, so Apple has loads of time to refine these options and add others. Once more, Apple hasn’t confirmed when it’ll launch iOS 26.3 to most people.
For extra iOS information, this is the whole lot it’s best to find out about iOS 26.2, the brand new options that have been included in iOS 26.1 and my review of iOS 26. You may as well take a look at our iOS 26 cheat sheet.
Watch this: Apple’s Siri to Be Powered by Google, Australia’s Beneath-16 Social Media Ban, UK Investigates Musk’s X | Tech At the moment
