In the latest iOS 26.4 developer beta, Apple has quietly enabled early support for end-to-end encrypted RCS chats. On paper, that sounds like a big deal. RCS has long been one of the most debated topics in the iPhone vs Android messaging saga. But if you were hoping this means secure iPhone-to-Android texting is here, not quite.

For years, Apple avoided adopting Rich Communication Services, better known as RCS, arguing that the standard lacked proper end-to-end encryption. In the meantime, iPhone users had iMessage (fully encrypted, blue bubbles), while conversations with Android users dropped down to plain SMS. That divide became part technical limitation, part ecosystem strategy.

Apple finally introduced RCS support with iOS 18, but encryption wasn’t included. Now, in iOS 26.4 beta, there’s a new toggle in Settings that enables encrypted RCS for supported users. Encrypted chats show a lock icon, similar to iMessage, indicating messages are secured in transit.

Here’s the limitation

Right now, encrypted RCS only works between Apple devices. The feature does not yet enable encrypted messaging between iPhones and Android phones. In other words, the green-bubble security issue remains unresolved.

There’s another interesting detail: encrypted RCS activates only when iMessage is turned off. If iMessage is enabled, Apple’s own messaging system continues to take priority for Apple-to-Apple chats.

Google has offered encrypted RCS in its Messages app for compatible devices for years. But true cross-platform encryption requires every major player, including Apple, to fully implement the same specification.

So when will Android-to-iPhone encryption arrive?

That’s the big question. This beta confirms Apple is actively working on encrypted RCS. But full cross-platform support doesn’t appear ready yet. It’s also absent from the stable iOS 26.4 release roadmap. Realistically, widespread encrypted RCS between iPhone and Android users could still be far away.

For now, this update is progress, just not the breakthrough we have been waiting for. Apple is moving forward on RCS encryption, but it’s doing so carefully and, at least for now, still within its own ecosystem boundaries.

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Key Highlights:

• Apple is close to signing a US$1 billion per year deal with Google to use its Gemini AI model for Siri.
  
• The upgraded Siri is expected to launch in spring 2026 as part of iOS 26.4.
  
• Apple plans to use Gemini temporarily while developing its own large-scale AI model.

Apple Turns to Google for AI Upgrade

Apple is in final talks with Google to integrate its powerful Gemini AI model into Siri, marking one of the biggest artificial intelligence partnerships in the tech industry. The deal, worth around US$1 billion per year, aims to overhaul Siri’s capabilities and bring Apple up to speed in the fast-moving AI race. According to Bloomberg, the Gemini-powered Siri could launch by spring 2026 with iOS 26.4.

A Smarter, More Capable Siri

Currently, Siri runs on Apple’s in-house cloud AI with around 150 billion parameters. Under the new agreement, it will tap into Google’s Gemini model, which boasts 1.2 trillion parameters, nearly eight times more powerful. The upgrade will allow Siri to better understand complex commands, summarise information, and plan multi-step tasks.

Internally, the Siri revamp is known as “Linwood”, while the larger AI project is called “Glenwood.” The effort is being led by Apple executives Craig Federighi and Mike Rockwell, the creator of the Vision Pro headset.

Privacy and Performance

Despite using Google’s AI, Apple will maintain strict privacy controls. Gemini will operate on Apple’s Private Cloud Compute (PCC) servers, ensuring user data remains isolated from Google’s infrastructure. All processing will be temporary, with no data stored between sessions, reinforcing Apple’s privacy-first image.

However, this setup means Apple must expand its cloud hardware to handle Gemini’s massive size, potentially increasing costs and system load.

Why Apple Chose Google

Apple reportedly tested multiple AI models, including OpenAI’s GPT and Anthropic’s Claude, before selecting Gemini for its contextual understanding, scalability, and integration flexibility. While the deal gives Apple a major AI boost, it’s seen as a temporary arrangement until Apple completes its own 1-trillion-parameter AI model.

In markets like China, where Google services are banned, Apple plans to rely on its in-house models and local partners like Alibaba for regulatory compliance.

Strategic Implications

The collaboration marks a shift in Apple’s strategy, from building everything internally to selectively partnering with industry leaders. While the partnership won’t be publicly branded like the Safari-Google Search deal, it highlights how Apple is adapting to remain competitive in generative AI.

Both Apple and Google stocks rose after reports of the deal, signaling investor optimism. Once launched, the Gemini-powered Siri could redefine what voice assistants are capable of, blending power, privacy, and intelligence in a way that reshapes the AI landscape.

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