Apple and Google have finally restricted your green-bubble messages, and it's overdue.

      The green bubble finally has something to boast about. The unexpected partnership between Apple and Google introduces genuine encryption for everyday cross-platform texting.

      For years, messaging between an iPhone and an Android device felt less like a private chat and more like yelling across a busy street. That is set to change on May 11, 2026, as Apple and Google officially launched end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messaging.

      This long-anticipated feature is being rolled out first in beta with iOS 26.5 (also announced today) and the latest version of Google Messages.

      Big announcement: We're starting the rollout of end-to-end encryption for RCS messaging between Android and iPhone users! This cross-industry initiative replaces outdated SMS with a more secure and private method of communication, regardless of the phone you use. 🔒 Thanks to the community for… pic.twitter.com/5J71TwjbHL— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) May 11, 2026

      How did they accomplish this?

      It’s uncommon for Apple and Google to collaborate, as they often focus on creating advertisements that poke fun at each other.

      However, for the implementation of end-to-end encryption for RCS, both companies joined forces with the GSM Association to establish the encryption standard as part of RCS Universal Profile 3.0, which is built on the Messaging Layer Security Protocol.

      The outcome: messages sent between iPhones and Android devices are now secure from interception by anyone in transit, including Apple and Google. Once you activate this feature, a small lock icon will appear in your Messages app, signaling that the conversation is encrypted.

      Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

      Who can currently access this feature?

      Carrier support is crucial for the feature to function. Fortunately, the E2EE rollout for RCS comes with an impressive lineup of carrier partners.

      In the United States, major carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Boost Mobile, and Xfinity Mobile already back the new security feature. Canadian carriers like Bell, Rogers, and Telus also support it.

      It’s important to note that both the sender and recipient must be with a participating carrier for encryption to activate in their chats. While iMessage continues to offer E2EE independently, support for RCS will gradually extend to all existing conversations.

      For me, E2EE for RCS represents more than just a software upgrade: it symbolizes a geopolitical truce among different smartphone platforms. The absence of cross-platform encryption had previously allowed privacy-focused messaging platforms like WhatsApp to thrive. Now, the standard has been raised, and for good reason.

      For over five years, Shikhar has consistently simplified developments in consumer technology…

      Signal messenger aims to protect users from phishing with these new in-app adjustments.

      Signal has implemented new safety features to assist users in identifying and avoiding scams.

      If you're a Signal user, there's something significant you should be aware of. The encrypted messaging app has launched a series of new in-app safety measures aimed at safeguarding you against phishing and social engineering attacks.

      https://twitter.com/signalapp/status/2053957236376961474?s=46

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      WhatsApp Plus is now available, and you can disregard this subscription.

      WhatsApp is introducing a monthly fee for features that other apps include by default, which is a dilemma that Meta can't mask with custom icons.

      WhatsApp has staunchly defended its position as a free, straightforward messaging app for over a decade, but a new subscription tier complicates matters. Meta is rolling out WhatsApp Plus, a paid subscription option, to a limited number of iPhone users on the latest version of the App Store.

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      The Razr Ultra 2026 embodies everything a flip phone should be, but I won't spend $1,500 on it.

      A flip phone should never be this expensive. At $1,500, the Razr Ultra faces tough competition from everything else that your money can buy.

      I'll be candid: spending $1,500 on the Razr Ultra, a clamshell phone that folds in half, is a significant amount. In fact, it's considerable for any smartphone, especially when a Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max is priced lower and leaves you with a few hundred dollars to spare, or for a couple of hundred more, you could get a fully-fledged book-style foldable.

      For me, the Razr Ultra struggles to justify its $1,500 price tag. On its own, it's an impressive flip phone that gets the essentials right and offers the premium experience expected at this price. The Alcantara back, the 5,000-nit display, the silicon-carbon battery, and the dual rear cameras give it the appeal of a complete package.

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