Apple is getting ready to push out iOS 26.5, and the big Messages update is one that actually matters if your friend group is split between iPhone and Android.
The iOS 26.5 release candidate has now gone out to developers, which usually means the public version is close. Based on the timing, it should arrive very soon — possibly within days, or by next week if Apple takes a bit more time.
The important part from Apple’s changelog: iOS 26.5 adds support for end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging. In plain English, that means RCS chats between iPhones and Android phones can become more private, instead of sitting in that awkward middle ground where cross-platform messaging feels less protected than iMessage or WhatsApp.
Good news, but don’t expect everyone to get it instantly
There are a few catches here, so jangan terlalu excited yet.
First, Apple is treating end-to-end encrypted RCS as a beta feature. That means it may not feel fully universal or polished from day one.
Second, availability depends on supported carriers. Apple also says the feature will roll out over time, so this is not a simple switch where every iPhone user updates to iOS 26.5 and instantly gets encrypted RCS everywhere.
For Malaysia and SEA users, that carrier part is the key thing to watch. Whether you are on Maxis, CelcomDigi, U Mobile, Unifi Mobile, Yes, or another telco, the real-world experience may depend on how quickly local networks support the necessary RCS encryption setup.
Why this matters in Malaysia
Yes, most Malaysians are already living inside WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram DMs, or Discord. For gaming squads, work groups, and family chats, those apps are still the default.
But RCS still matters because it improves the built-in texting experience between Android and iPhone users. Not every conversation starts in WhatsApp. Sometimes it is a new contact, a buyer from Carousell, a delivery rider, a telco message thread, or someone who just messages from the default app.
If Apple and carriers get this right, iPhone-to-Android chats can become less primitive. RCS already brings better media sharing, read receipts, typing indicators, and a more modern messaging feel compared to old-school SMS. Adding end-to-end encryption makes it more serious from a privacy angle.
This is especially useful in SEA, where mixed-device households are totally normal. One sibling on iPhone, another on Samsung, parents on whatever Android phone was best value during 11.11 — that is real life here. Better default messaging between platforms is a win, even if WhatsApp is still king.
Android and iPhone messaging is slowly becoming less painful
The headline here is not that Messages will suddenly replace WhatsApp. It won’t.
The bigger point is that Apple is finally closing one of the privacy gaps in cross-platform texting. Once the rollout reaches supported carriers, Android devices and iPhones will be able to use RCS with end-to-end encryption.
For Malaysian users, the move is worth watching after iOS 26.5 lands publicly. Update when it arrives, but keep expectations realistic: your telco and Apple’s staged rollout will decide when the feature actually shows up for you.
Still, this is a solid step. Cross-platform messaging has been messy for years, and anything that makes iPhone-Android chats more secure is good news for everyone outside the Apple-only bubble.
Source: GSMArena