Apple is rolling out a major shift in how iPhones send messages after an FBI warning that replying stop to an unsolicited text can confirm an active number to criminals.
The move targets cross platform gaps between iMessage and standard texts, and it involves adopting the RCS protocol rather than relying only on app level fixes.
Early signs of the update appeared in beta builds of iOS 26.4 and more recently in iOS 26.5 testing, suggesting Apple is trialing encrypted cross platform messaging in its next releases.
Rollout, Carrier Support And Reactions
The change will affect about 1.5 billion iPhones worldwide, but deployment will be gradual because carriers must support the updated protocol for encrypted messages to work end to end.
CNET reported that Apple describes the feature as beta and that encrypted messages will be labeled so users can tell when messages have protection, and that the feature works only on certain carriers and devices.
According to Forbes, the industry body GSMA promised a protocol level fix 16 months ago, and Forbes also noted regulatory pressure from China likely accelerated Apple’s decision to open iPhones to secure cross platform messaging.
Google already uses RCS as the foundation of its messaging platform, and on iPhones RCS currently runs alongside iMessage rather than powering it, so Apple’s shift represents a significant technical step.
Because the vulnerability stems from cross platform messaging rather than iMessage encryption, the change aims to close a gap that left hundreds of millions exposed to scams that exploit simple replies.
