Google is exploring RCS encryption on Android phones, iPhones

Apple rolled out iOS 18 to all supported iPhone models earlier this week. While the iOS 18 does bring a host of new features to the iPhones, it also brings support for RCS or Rich Communication Services to Apple's smartphones, making it a major milestone not just for Apple but also for Android device owners. And now that Apple has adopted this standard, Google is exploring the option of adding advanced encryption to this protocol.

What is RCS and why is it important

RCS is a protocol for messages sent over Wi-Fi and mobile data. RCS is much more dynamic in nature compared to SMS and MMS as it includes a host of indicators such as typing indicator and read receipts that show when someone has received or read a message. It also lets users share file and high-resolution images.

Google added support for RCS in the Google Messages app back in 2020, which enabled Android users to get access to the mentioned features when interacting with other Android device owners in one-to-one and group chats. However, the same features were not available when Android users shared messages with iPhone users. But that has changed with the iOS 18 roll out.

RCS to get end-to-end encryption

Now that Apple has rolled out RCS support Google and GSMA, which represents mobile network operators worldwide, are exploring the option of bringing end-to-end encryption to RCS messages.

"The next major milestone is for the RCS Universal Profile to add important user protections such as interoperable end-to-end encryption. This will be the first deployment of standardized, interoperable messaging encryption between different computing platforms, addressing significant technical challenges such as key federation and cryptographically-enforced group membership," GSMA Technical Director, Tom Van Pelt, said in a statement.

More recently, Google said that 'it is working with the broader ecosystem to bring cross-platform E2EE to RCS chats as soon as Possible'.