- A new version of RCS is in progress which will allow encrypted messaging between iOS and Android
- Apple has never proposed encrypted messaging outside the Imessage standard
- This follows the adoption of RC Apple not encrypted last year
A new announcement of the GSM association confirms that Apple provides for the first time an end -to -end encryption at RCS messaging on iPhone, marking a major step for multiplatform communications.
Cosmitted messaging on iPhone was previously limited to Apple’s own Imessage standard, which is only available for Apple users and, as such, is only possible between two or more iPhones or other Apple devices.
Apple initially activated RCS on iPhone in 2024, after 17 years of forcing iPhone users to send SMS to other platforms on SMS, with the warning that end-to-end encryption would not be an available feature.
Now, the GSM association – the non -profit organization of the industry which represents world mobile network operators – confirms that a multitude of industry partners, including Apple, have collaborated on a new RCS standard which supports encryption from start to finish on several platforms.
Apple’s spokesperson Shane Bauer told the penis: “We will add support for CRS encrypted messages from start to finish to iOS, iPados, MacOS and Watchos in future software updates.”
RCS, which means Rich Communication Services, has been the standard of choice for Android phones for a few years now, but Apple has been slow to adopt the universally available communication protocol.
From the start of the iPhone in 2007 until last year, Apple has only made it possible to send SMS to other types of SMS phones, which offers no encryption and very limited options for media sharing.
End -to -end encryption, where messages are only displayed in deciphering form to sender and recipients, is a key sales argument of RCS and a proudly detailed feature of other major messaging services like WhatsApp.
My catch: a victory for everyone
As a writer of Techradar mobile computer staff, I see my right part of Apple cynicism, but after getting my frustration against Apple to have delayed the adoption of RCS Above all Out of my system last year, I feel optimistic about this last announcement.
While iOS and Android ecosystems continue to diversify, it becomes more and more obvious that the duopoly of Apple and Google will not disappear so soon, and with the best iPhones and the best Android phones offering all high -end performance and features sets, it is likely that people in your life will represent a mixture of two user bases.
This new version of RCS is a victory for everyone: better communication on a secure channel, without the need for third -party applications. I am particularly happy that less informed users in technology can count on the default Apple messages app to keep their texts and send secure media.
I am also happy to see Apple show a little desire to collaborate with its rival for the greatest advantage of its user base. Apple continues to manifest itself as a business that really cares about user confidentiality – even if, we have recently seen in the United Kingdom, this means fighting governments to achieve its vision of data protection.
What do you think of this announcement? Is Apple on the right track, or is it too little, too late? Let us know in the comments.
