To encrypt text messages on an iPhone, send them with iMessage (blue bubbles). iMessage is end-to-end encrypted automatically. Since iOS 26.5, RCS chats between iPhone and Android can be end-to-end encrypted too, with supported carriers. On Android, Google Messages encrypts RCS chats by default. Plain SMS and MMS are never end-to-end encrypted, on any phone. For encrypted chats with anyone, on any phone, you can also use an app like Signal or WhatsApp. This guide shows you how to turn each one on, how to check that a chat is encrypted, and why your texts may suddenly say "Encrypted".
Which text messages are encrypted?
End-to-end encryption means only you and the people in the chat can read the messages. They can't be read while they travel between your phones. Here is how the main types of messages compare:
- iMessage (iPhone to Apple device): end-to-end encrypted, always. Blue bubbles with a lock icon at the top of the chat.
- RCS on iPhone (iPhone to Android): end-to-end encrypted on iOS 26.5 when the carriers on both sides support it. Apple still calls this a beta. Encrypted chats show "Encrypted" with a lock at the top.
- RCS in Google Messages (Android): end-to-end encrypted by default between Google Messages users, and with iPhone users on iOS 26.5 with supported carriers. You see a lock on the send button.
- SMS and MMS: not end-to-end encrypted. On iPhone they show as green bubbles.
- Signal and WhatsApp: end-to-end encrypted by default for personal chats and calls, on iPhone and Android.
Apple explains the differences in What is the difference between iMessage, RCS, and SMS/MMS?. Not sure what SMS and MMS are? See the difference between SMS and MMS.
How to encrypt iMessage on iPhone
You don't need to switch encryption on for iMessage. Every message sent with iMessage is end-to-end encrypted. You only need to make sure iMessage is on and that your chat really uses it.
1. Turn on iMessage
- Open Settings.
- Tap Apps, then Messages.
- Turn on iMessage.
iMessage uses Wi-Fi, or cellular data when Wi-Fi isn't available.
2. Check for blue bubbles and the lock
Messages sent with iMessage appear in blue bubbles, and the chat shows a lock icon at the top. Green bubbles mean the message went as RCS or SMS/MMS. A green SMS message is not end-to-end encrypted.
3. Optional: verify your contacts
iMessage Contact Key Verification lets you confirm you're talking to the right person. Go to Settings, tap your name, tap Contact Key Verification and turn on Verification in iMessage. Then open a chat, tap the contact's name and tap Verify Contact to compare codes. You need iOS 17.2 or later and two-factor authentication (Apple: About iMessage Contact Key Verification).
4. Protect your message backups
Messages in iCloud is end-to-end encrypted. But with standard iCloud protection and iCloud Backup turned on, your backup holds a copy of the key for Messages in iCloud. With Advanced Data Protection, your backups are end-to-end encrypted too (Apple: iCloud data security overview).
- Open Settings and tap your name.
- Tap iCloud.
- Scroll down, tap Advanced Data Protection and turn it on.
- Follow the steps to set up a recovery contact or a recovery key.
Apple's guide: How to turn on Advanced Data Protection for iCloud. In the United Kingdom, Apple can no longer offer Advanced Data Protection to new users (Apple). iMessage itself stays end-to-end encrypted there.
How to turn on encrypted messages on iPhone for Android chats (RCS)
When you text an Android phone from your iPhone, Messages uses RCS if your carrier supports it, otherwise SMS. Since iOS 26.5, RCS chats can be end-to-end encrypted. Apple and Google started rolling this out in beta in May 2026 (Apple Newsroom, Google).
What you need
- iOS 26.5 or later on your iPhone.
- A carrier that supports RCS and encrypted RCS on iPhone. Check Apple's list of carriers.
- The other person's carrier must support it too. On Android, they need the latest version of Google Messages.
Steps
- Open Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging.
- Turn on RCS Messaging. If you don't see it, RCS may not be available for your phone or carrier.
- Turn on End-to-End Encryption (Beta). Apple says it's on by default.
Steps from Apple: Turn on RCS messaging on your iPhone. When a chat is encrypted, it shows "Encrypted" with a lock at the top. If you don't see it, the chat isn't end-to-end encrypted. Encryption is switched on gradually for new and existing chats, so it can take a while to appear.
How to encrypt text messages on Android
On Android, encryption is built into the Google Messages app. RCS chats between Google Messages users are end-to-end encrypted by default, including photos and videos you send (Google: End-to-end encryption in Google Messages). You only need to turn on RCS chats.
1. Turn on RCS chats
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture or initial at the top right.
- Tap Messages settings, then RCS chats.
- Turn on RCS chats and wait until the status says Connected.
If it says "RCS chats are disabled by your carrier", contact your carrier (Google: Turn on RCS chats). Google advises against turning RCS chats on and off repeatedly, because you may be removed from group chats.
2. Check for the lock
In an encrypted chat, you see a lock on the send button and next to the time of your messages. No lock means the chat isn't end-to-end encrypted, for example because it switched to SMS.
3. Optional: verify the encryption code
- Open the conversation.
- Tap More (top right), then Details.
- Tap Verify encryption and compare the code with your contact. You should both see the same code.
In a group, tap More > Group details, pick a person, then More > Verify encryption. Verifying is optional: your messages are encrypted either way (Google: Use end-to-end encryption in Google Messages).
If your Android phone came with a different texting app, its encryption depends on that app. Google's encryption works in Google Messages.
Why are my text messages encrypted all of a sudden?
If your texts started saying "Encrypted" or show a new lock, it's because of the encrypted RCS rollout. Since May 2026, iPhone users on iOS 26.5 and Android users on the latest Google Messages get end-to-end encrypted RCS chats with each other, as long as their carriers support it. It's on by default and switches on over time for new and existing chats. You don't need to do anything. It simply means nobody can read those messages on their way between your phones.
Why are my messages not encrypted?
- The message went as SMS or MMS. SMS and MMS can't be end-to-end encrypted.
- You or the other person has no data or Wi-Fi. In Google Messages, a chat falls back to SMS when data is lost and goes back to RCS once you're both connected again.
- A carrier doesn't support encrypted RCS yet. On iPhone, the chat is only encrypted if both carriers support it.
- Your software is out of date. You need iOS 26.5 or later on iPhone, or the latest Google Messages on Android.
- RCS is off on your phone or the other person's phone.
Encrypted messaging apps: Signal, WhatsApp and Telegram
An app is the easiest way to get encrypted chats with everyone, whatever phone and carrier they have. Both of you need to install the same app.
Signal
Signal encrypts every message and call end-to-end, with no setting to turn on. Install it from the App Store or Google Play and register your phone number. Signal uses your phone's data connection, so messages don't count as SMS.
WhatsApp encrypts personal messages and calls end-to-end automatically, with no setting to switch on (WhatsApp: About end-to-end encryption). Chats with some businesses can work differently.
Telegram
Telegram's normal chats and groups are not end-to-end encrypted. They use server-client encryption and are stored in Telegram's cloud. Only secret chats are end-to-end encrypted. To start one, open the person's profile, tap ..., then Start Secret Chat (Telegram FAQ).
Keeping your messages encrypted when you travel
iMessage, RCS chats, Signal and WhatsApp all need an internet connection: Wi-Fi or mobile data. Abroad, that's where encryption often slips. Without data, an RCS chat can fall back to SMS, and SMS is not encrypted. Depending on your carrier, texting from your home line abroad can also cost roaming fees.
- Keep mobile data on. With data, your chats stay on iMessage, RCS or your messaging app, so they stay encrypted. More on using iMessage abroad and texting with eSIM data.
- Be careful with public Wi-Fi. End-to-end encryption still protects the content of your chats, but open networks carry other risks. See is hotel Wi-Fi safe?
- Keep your home line on. On a dual SIM phone, your usual number can stay on for SMS codes, while a travel eSIM gives you the data.
A data-only travel eSIM keeps iMessage, WhatsApp and Signal running on your usual number, without your home carrier's roaming data rates. Check first that your phone supports eSIM.
Data-only eSIMs for Europe, Mexico and Asia · Europe eSIMs · Mexico eSIMs · Asia eSIMs · Going somewhere else? Find your destination
FAQs
How do I encrypt iMessage?
You don't have to. iMessage is end-to-end encrypted automatically. Turn it on in Settings > Apps > Messages > iMessage and check that your messages are blue. To also encrypt your backups, turn on Advanced Data Protection.
How do I turn on encrypted messages on iPhone?
For iMessage, encryption is always on. For chats with Android phones, go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and turn on End-to-End Encryption (Beta). You need iOS 26.5 or later and a carrier that supports it.
How do I encrypt text messages on Android?
Use Google Messages and turn on RCS chats. Chats with other Google Messages users are then end-to-end encrypted by default. Look for the lock on the send button.
What does "encrypted" mean on a text message?
It means the message is end-to-end encrypted: only you and the people in the chat can read it. It can't be read while it travels between your phones.
Can you encrypt text messages between iPhone and Android?
Yes. With iOS 26.5 or later on the iPhone, the latest Google Messages on Android and carriers that support it on both sides, RCS chats are end-to-end encrypted. Signal and WhatsApp also work between iPhone and Android.
Is SMS encrypted?
No. SMS and MMS messages aren't end-to-end encrypted, on iPhone or Android. If a text on your iPhone went as SMS (a green bubble without the "Encrypted" lock), it wasn't end-to-end encrypted.
Are WhatsApp and Telegram encrypted?
WhatsApp encrypts personal messages and calls end-to-end by default. Telegram only does this in secret chats. Its normal chats and groups aren't end-to-end encrypted.
Do encrypted messages work abroad?
Yes, as long as you have Wi-Fi or mobile data. Without data, RCS chats can fall back to unencrypted SMS. A travel eSIM with data keeps your chats on iMessage, RCS or your messaging app.