Android and iPhone users will, at long last, be able to exchange end-to-end encrypted text messages as the feature begins rolling out in beta for devices running the latest software.

The update introduces end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) messaging for conversations between iOS and Android users, significantly strengthening privacy protections. Once active, messages are encrypted while in transit, making them extremely difficult for hackers, governments, or even service providers to intercept or read.

While Apple’s iMessage has offered end-to-end encryption since its launch in 2011, and Android-to-Android messaging has supported similar protection since 2021, secure cross-platform messaging has not been available until now.

For years, communication between the two ecosystems has been fragmented. Android users cannot access Apple’s proprietary iMessage, while Apple was slow to adopt RCS (Rich Communication Services), a modern upgrade to traditional SMS that supports features such as typing indicators, read receipts, emoji reactions, longer messages, and improved media sharing. Apple only introduced RCS support in 2023, following regulatory pressure and industry calls for greater compatibility.

Google had long pushed Apple to adopt RCS to improve cross-platform messaging and reduce friction between users. The divide also contributed to the so-called “green bubble stigma”, referring to the colour difference in message threads between Android and iPhone users.

Before RCS adoption, cross-platform messaging often suffered from poor media quality, broken group chats, and limited functionality. The introduction of RCS has already improved these issues, and the addition of end-to-end encryption marks another step towards closing the gap between Android and iOS messaging experiences.

The encrypted RCS feature is currently in beta rollout, meaning it may not yet be available to all users. When active, encrypted conversations will be indicated by a lock icon within the chat interface.