The GSMA, a worldwide organization that represents mobile network providers, has formally launched **RCS 3.0**. While this may appear to be standard technology news, it holds major significance—most importantly, it will ultimately address the persistent problem of **unencrypted messaging between Android and iOS users**.

### Apple and Google Pledge Support for RCS 3.0

When **Apple integrated RCS support** in iOS 18, it utilized an earlier version of the protocol, which resulted in **unencrypted conversations between iPhone and Android users**. Nevertheless, Apple has now declared that it will **upgrade to the most recent RCS standard**, providing end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for messaging across platforms.

An Apple representative shared with *The Verge*:

> “End-to-end encryption is a powerful privacy and security technology that iMessage has supported from the start, and now we are delighted to have contributed to a cross-industry initiative to incorporate end-to-end encryption into the RCS Universal Profile released by the GSMA. We will implement support for end-to-end encrypted RCS messages in iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS in upcoming software updates.”

Google has also confirmed its endorsement of RCS 3.0, marking the first instance where both **Apple and Google have embraced the same messaging standard simultaneously**. Google announced its intent to promptly incorporate the new protocol into Android.

### Improved Security and Privacy Features

In addition to encryption, **RCS 3.0 brings several new privacy-centric features**. The protocol now integrates **end-to-end encryption (E2EE) based on the Messaging Layer Security (MLS) standard**. This guarantees that all messages, images, and files are encrypted prior to being sent and can only be decrypted by the recipient’s device. Simply put, **no one—neither carriers nor third parties—can access the contents of your messages**.

However, encryption will only function if users are communicating through **approved messaging applications**—specifically, **Apple iMessage and Google Messages**. Currently, most third-party messaging apps do not support RCS, but this may change in the future.

### Further Enhancements in RCS 3.0

The most recent update also improves **interactions with businesses and chatbots**, a vital advancement in a time when **AI-driven customer support and scams are becoming more common**. These enhancements aim to make business messaging more secure and user-friendly.

### When Will RCS 3.0 Launch?

While RCS 3.0 has been unveiled, it **has not been fully rolled out yet**. Until both Apple and Google conclude the deployment, **messages between Android and iOS users will continue to be unencrypted**. There is no specific timeline for when the update will be broadly accessible.

For now, users will have to wait for **upcoming software releases** to enjoy the complete advantages of **secure, cross-platform messaging**.