Apple on Monday launched a brand new developer beta of iOS and iPadOS with help for end-to-end encryption (E2EE) in Wealthy Communications Companies (RCS) messages.
The function is presently accessible for testing in iOS and iPadOS 26.4 Beta, and is anticipated to be shipped to prospects in a future replace for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS.
“Finish-to-end encryption is in beta and isn’t accessible for all gadgets or carriers,” Apple mentioned in its launch notes. “Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages cannot be learn whereas they’re despatched between gadgets.”
The iPhone maker additionally identified that the supply of RCS encryption is proscribed to conversations between Apple gadgets, and never different platforms like Android.
The safe messaging check arrives almost a 12 months after the GSM Affiliation (GSMA) formally introduced help for E2EE for safeguarding messages despatched through the RCS protocol. E2EE for RCS would require Apple to replace to RCS Common Profile 3.0, which is constructed atop the Messaging Layer Safety (MLS) protocol.
The newest beta additionally comes with a brand new function that enables functions to choose in to the complete safeguards of Reminiscence Integrity Enforcement (MIE) for enhanced reminiscence security safety. Beforehand, functions had been restricted to Gentle Mode, Apple mentioned.
MIE was unveiled by the corporate final September as a solution to counter refined mercenary spyware and adware assaults concentrating on its platform by providing “always-on reminiscence security safety” throughout vital assault surfaces such because the kernel and over 70 userland processes with out imposing any efficiency overhead.
In keeping with a report from MacRumors, iOS 26.4 can also be anticipated to allow Stolen System Safety by default for all iPhone customers. The function provides an additional layer of safety by requiring Face ID or Contact ID biometric authentication when performing delicate actions like accessing saved passwords and bank cards when the system is away from acquainted areas, equivalent to house or work.
Stolen System Safety additionally provides a one-hour delay earlier than making Apple Account password modifications, on prime of the Face ID or Contact ID authentication requirement to offer customers a while to mark their system as misplaced within the occasion it will get stolen.
