Android and iPhone users finally get end-to-end encrypted texting
Original: Finally, texts between Android and iPhone users can be end-to-end encrypted
Why This Matters
Resolves major cross-platform messaging security gap affecting billions of mobile users.
End-to-end encrypted messaging between Android and iPhone devices launches in beta on Monday. The feature uses RCS protocol after Apple finally adopted support in 2023 following regulatory pressure, addressing the long-standing 'green bubble' communication gap.
End-to-end encrypted messaging between Android and iPhone devices is rolling out in beta for users with the latest software. This development comes after years of communication issues between the platforms. While iMessage has been encrypted since 2011 and Android users gained e2ee in 2021, cross-platform encryption was impossible until now. Apple resisted supporting RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging since 2020, despite Google's urging and the protocol bringing features like typing indicators, read receipts, and encryption. Apple finally adopted RCS in 2023 under regulatory pressure. The encryption gap created the 'green bubble stigma' where iPhone users received lower-quality messages from Android devices, often breaking group chats and multimedia sharing. When conversations are encrypted, users will see a lock icon indicating protection.