Source: MacRumors
Apple is iterating on end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging rather than shipping it, indicating either technical hurdles in cross-platform implementation or strategic reassessment of the feature’s competitive value—particularly as RCS itself becomes standard for Android interoperability rather than a differentiation point. The repeated removal and reinsertion of E2EE in beta cycles shows Apple is optimizing for something specific (compatibility with Google’s RCS stack, key management at scale, or user experience), not simply building it. The delay matters because it leaves iPhone-Android message threads unencrypted by default while both companies claim to prioritize privacy, creating a genuine security gap that users can’t work around.