But unlike Samsung, there is no replacement or removal of the iMessage. Instead, the company is expanding it.

Along with the newly released iOS 26.5, Apple has officially started enabling end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging between Android and iOS phones, introducing one of the biggest upgrades to cross-platform messaging in years.

Until now, messaging between Android and iOS has always felt outdated. Photos always lost quality, read-receipts were inconsistent and most importantly, conversations lacked proper encryption outside of apps like WhatsApp or Signal. This is exactly where RCS comes in.

What RCS Actually Means and Why It Matters in 2026

RCS is short for Rich Communication Services, and it is essentially the replacement for traditional SMS messaging. It supports high-quality media sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, message reactions, improved group chats and now, cross-platform end-to-end encryption.

In simple terms, this is an upgrade from the normal texting experience into something that behaves like modern messaging apps.

What makes this rollout important is not just the features, but the timing. In 2026, privacy has become one of the top concerns in consumer technology, and users are becoming more aware about how their conversations and habits are handled across social platforms.

At the same time, regulators, especially in the EU and Africa are pushing for a more stronger digital privacy protection.

According to Apple, encrypted RCS conversations will now display a padlock icon on any iPhone that meets the compatibility requirements. Messages are protected using the new RCS Universal Profile 3.0 standard created with support from Apple and Google.

Not Every iPhone Is Getting the Upgrade

However, this does not imply that every iPhone will automatically receive this update. The encrypted RCS messaging is reserved for only iPhones running on iOS 26.5 or newer.

This means older iPhones stuck on a previous iOS version will not benefit from this upgrade. Apple also confirmed that carrier support is important as well, meaning availability may differ depending on region and mobile network support.

So while this sounds like a universal upgrade, it is actually a gradual transition that depends mainly on the iOS version, the mobile carrier and the latest compatible version of Google Messages on Android.

Conclusion

What makes this conversation more interesting is the general direction of tech companies towards privacy and messaging in 2026.

While Samsung, Google and now, Apple are working together for a stronger default encryption standard for messaging,  some social platforms like Meta’s WhatsApp are reportedly scaling back or loosening their encryption systems.

For users in 2026, privacy is not just about hiding secrets anymore. It is now more about control, and with Apple finally bringing encrypted RCS to iPhone-Android messaging, cross-platform texting might have just entered its most secure era.

Under the spotlight at this year’s “Android Show: I/O Edition” were improvements that moved beyond aesthetics, going deep into personalisation, security, device intelligence, and cross-platform integration. 

Android, which powers over three billion devices globally, is entering a more personal, more proactive, and much harder to compromise phase.

Android and Wear OS Now Let You Design the Experience Your Way

Tired of a generic phone look? Android 16 and Wear OS 6 introduce Material 3 Expressive, a significant design makeover. It’s about making your devices truly personal and easier to use. Imagine animations reacting to your touch, like icons subtly shifting when you dismiss a message, making interactions feel alive. Born from research with over 18,000 users, the result is beautiful, enjoyable interfaces.

Customise phone colours and quick settings – place your flashlight for easy access. On smartwatches, the design wraps smoothly around round screens, and your watch face theme will colour the entire system. For users in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, where personal expression is key, this means technology that truly reflects you.

• Availability: Coming to Android 16 and Wear OS 6. Pixel devices first later this year, then other manufacturers.

Driving: Android Auto Gets Smarter with Gemini Becoming Your Co-pilot

Remember when your car was just for driving? Now, with Gemini, Google’s smart AI assistant, coming to your car, every journey becomes more productive and enjoyable. Whether you use Android Auto with your phone or have a car with Google built-in, Gemini is designed to be your ultimate co-pilot.

Imagine talking naturally to your car, without needing to remember specific commands. You can ask Gemini to find the best local food along your route and even get summaries of reviews.

If you’re messaging a friend who prefers a different language, Gemini can remember to always translate your messages for them. It can even help you find the location of your child’s soccer game that got buried in your email!

But Gemini isn’t just for navigation. On longer drives, you can ask it to summarise the news, or give you a quick rundown of a book for your book club. It’s like having a knowledgeable friend riding shotgun, ready to help with anything from finding a charging station near a park to helping you prepare for a big meeting.

This smart integration means less distraction and more convenience, making your time on the road in Nairobi, Johannesburg, or Lagos more efficient and fun.

• Availability: Android Auto in coming months; Google Built-in later this year (new Lincoln Nautilus, Renault R5, Honda Passport).

Your Watch, TV, and Even Smart Glasses Now Think Like Your Phone

Gemini’s intelligence is expanding beyond your phone to your Wear OS smartwatch, TV, and future Android XR smart glasses. On your Wear OS watch, get help hands-free: set gym locker reminders while baking or find restaurant details from an email. Google TV will get Gemini later this year for movie recommendations or educational content for kids.

Future Android XR headsets (starting with Samsung) will use Gemini for immersive experiences like vacation planning. Expect personalised, proactive help for a seamless, intelligent experience across your Android devices. Gemini Live’s camera and screen sharing capabilities are available now for Android users (no Advanced subscription required).

• Availability: Wear OS in coming months. Google TV later this year. Android XR with Samsung’s first headset later this year.

Find Hub: Smarter Tracking for Everything and Everyone

Android’s “Find My Device” is evolving into Find Hub, a central spot to locate tagged items and track friends and family (with permission). Easily track luggage, keys, or confirm a loved one’s safe arrival from one app. Find Hub supports more devices and Bluetooth tags (July, Mokobara, Pixbee). Ultra-wideband (UWB) tech (first on moto tag) offers precise tracking down to a few feet.

Later this year, satellite connectivity arrives for supported devices, enabling tracking without mobile coverage – ideal for adventures. Airline partnerships (e.g., British Airways, Singapore Airlines) will help locate luggage by sharing tag locations. For those in Africa facing varied network coverage or frequent travel, Find Hub is a powerful tool.

• Availability: Rolling out with new compatible devices/tags later this month (UWB on moto tag). Satellite connectivity later this year. Airline partnerships early next year.

Crystal Clear Communication: RCS Messaging Soars

Android has championed RCS (Rich Communication Services) for simple, reliable, feature-rich messaging, regardless of phone type. Success is clear: over a billion daily RCS messages in the U.S. alone enable high-quality photo/video sharing and improved group chats. RCS offers features like read receipts, typing indicators, and large file sharing directly in your standard messaging app for seamless communication.

• Availability: Globally available within Google Messages.

Enhanced App Security Through Smarter Scanning

Google Play Protect is tightening the screws on malicious apps. The built-in Android security system now leverages real-time threat detection using local device scanning rules.

A growing issue has been malicious apps hiding their icons or switching them after installation to avoid detection. Live threat detection will now expose these apps before they can cause harm.

Google says, “We’re expanding Play Protect to conduct real-time scans using on-device machine learning to detect emerging threats. This means safer apps—before you even install them.”

Every app, no matter where it’s downloaded from, will be scanned. If the system picks up suspicious behaviour, like unusual permission requests or data exfiltration patterns, it can block installation or alert users before damage is done.

Live threat detection, including hidden icon detection, will begin rolling out on Pixel 6 and newer, as well as selected devices from other manufacturers in the coming months.

Improved Theft Protection That Actually Works

Android is taking theft protection seriously. Building on its existing security layers, Android 16 introduces more stringent Factory Reset protections. Now, if a phone is stolen and someone attempts to wipe it, core functionalities remain locked unless the original owner confirms the action.

Additionally, Remote Lock is getting more secure with a new identity check step. A security question will be introduced, giving users more control over unauthorised access attempts.

But there’s a more specific threat being addressed. Thieves often aim to access one-time passwords (OTPs) from the lock screen to break into banking or messaging apps. Android 16 adds a high-risk protection feature.

If the phone hasn’t been recently unlocked and is offline, OTPs will no longer display on the lock screen. You’ll only see them after unlocking the device.

These changes point to a more aggressive stance by Google in protecting personal data. Identity Check, already available on Pixel and Samsung One UI 7 devices, will expand to more Android 16 devices across different brands.

Availability Timeline Recap:

• Material 3 Expressive: Android 16 and Wear OS 6, starting with Pixel phones later this year.
• Gemini for Android Auto: Coming in months; Google built-in cars later this year.
• Gemini on Wear OS, Google TV, Android XR: Rolling out over the next few months; XR with Samsung’s headset later in the year.
• Find Hub + UWB + Satellite Tracking: Moto tag and new Bluetooth tags later this month; satellite tracking later this year; airline support early next year.
• RCS Messaging: Now available worldwide via Google Messages.
• Google Play Protect Upgrades: Available globally now; live threat detection for Pixel 6+ and select OEMs coming soon.
• Theft Protection Enhancements: Rolling out with Android 16 later this year.

Despite the notable progress in mobile banking and fintech, the continent continues to face a significant financial inclusion gap, with over half the population remaining unbanked.

This paradox is particularly evident in South Africa, where a sophisticated financial sector coexists with deep inequality.

To bridge this divide, South African banks are leapfrogging legacy hurdles by embracing technologies like generative AI (GenAI), focusing on socioeconomic trends and using advanced tools to reshape customer interactions and underwriting processes.

Breaking down barriers to the unbanked

Despite the fact that a high percentage of South Africans have access to formal financial products, a significant portion of the population remains effectively unbanked due to distrust of financial institutions, particularly within the informal sector.

To appeal to this market, the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector is pursuing digital strategies that build trust by offering more accessible financial solutions.

In leveraging conversational banking and prioritising customer experience, South African BFSI players can attract tech-savvy users while retaining traditional customers, ultimately driving greater financial inclusion across the country.

By integrating AI, South Africa’s BFSI sector can enhance customer experiences and operational agility, ultimately driving financial inclusion and sustainable growth in the digital age.

The role of Generative AI in digitising access

GenAI is playing a decisive role in transforming the BFSI sector in South Africa. Banks are now leveraging AI-powered chatbots to provide 24/7 customer support, answer frequently asked questions, and personalise customer interactions at every touchpoint.

This not only improves customer satisfaction but also frees up human agents to handle more complex inquiries.

Furthermore, AI is revolutionising credit scoring, especially for underserved populations. By analysing alternative data sources like mobile phone usage and utility payment history, AI can assess creditworthiness for individuals who may not have a traditional credit score.

This helps to expand financial inclusion by providing access to credit for those who were previously excluded.

First address risks associated with AI

While AI offers significant benefits, it is essential to address the risks associated with its use. Organisations must be cautious when partnering with cloud-enabled service providers.

These providers should prioritise data privacy and security by adhering to strict regulations like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

They should also employ advanced encryption techniques to protect sensitive customer data. Transparency is key; providers must inform customers about data usage and offer options for data control.

By partnering with reputable providers who prioritise these factors, organisations can mitigate the risks associated with AI and ensure the ethical and responsible use of technology.

The rise of fintech and digital-first banks

To serve diverse customer segments, South African banks are implementing tailored digital strategies. For affluent customers, banks offer personalised financial services through advanced digital platforms, including wealth management tools and investment advisory services.

For underserved populations, banks are focusing on accessible options like Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) banking and micro-lending.

By partnering with financial technology (fintech) companies, banks can reach underserved segments and offer innovative financial solutions.

The emergence of fintech and digital-first banks has increased competition and forced traditional banks to innovate.

These newer banks often offer more digital-friendly services and a focus on customer experience.

Driven by the need to innovate to survive, traditional banks have responded by investing in digital platforms and partnering with fintech companies to offer more convenient features like instant transfers and AI-powered customer support.

With the emergence of Rich Communication Services (RCS), companies are now able to offer a more enhanced customer experience compared to traditional Short Message Service (SMS).

Key features include multimedia support, file sharing, branding, and two-way communication. RCS also provides stronger security features, such as encryption and verification, to reduce the risk of fraud.

Future advancements in AI and digital banking

AI-driven credit scoring for the unbanked, voice and conversational banking in local languages, and AI-powered financial literacy tools are key areas for future development.

These advancements can further drive financial inclusion and growth in Africa’s BFSI sector. By leveraging AI and digital technologies, South Africa’s BFSI sector can overcome legacy challenges, foster financial inclusion, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

This requires prioritising customer experience, addressing AI risks, and tailoring strategies to serve diverse populations.

Unlike traditional text-based SMS, RCS is redefining the way businesses engage with their customers, and it is anticipated that the increasing adoption of technologies such as Communications Platform-as-a-Service (CPaaS) will be the main driver for enterprises leveraging operator-led RCS channels for rich business messaging.

A study by Juniper Research has found that the global number of active RCS users will reach 1.1 billion in 2024, up from 930 million in 2023.

The rising adoption of RCS signifies a fundamental change in how businesses connect with their customers.

While SMS remains a powerful channel that brands use extensively because of its reach and device support, it has some limitations that RCS successfully compensates for with its rich feature set.

• For example, SMS is typically a one-way messaging platform, whereas RCS supports a two-way communication channel that allows interactive messages to be sent, allowing interactivity between both sender and receiver.

SMS can be used to deliver an alert, notification or One-Time Password, RCS can be used for transactional messaging, calls to action or obtaining customer feedback.

Sender verification

Another advantage that RCS holds over SMS is sender verification, which is a key feature of RCS that increases trust and thus drives the adoption of this channel for business messaging. Similarly, unlike SMS, RCS offers better security in the form of end-to-end message encryption.

By adopting RCS to engage with their customers, businesses can access analytics that are not available on the SMS platform, which allows them to analyse customer behaviour.

• For example, RCS enables organisations to track open rates, how long it took for a customer to open a message and what actions were taken once they opened the message, such as whether they clicked on a link or further explored a particular product promotion.

There are several fundamental ways in which RCS is expected to transform the landscape of business communication.

RCS allows messaging to shift from being passive to becoming an active engagement. By providing richer multimedia content, customers can expect interactive experiences and deeper engagement with their brands and ultimately a better customer experience.

Additionally, based on user analytics, RCS messaging allows for customer segmentation and more personalised interactions, while also enabling businesses to automate their communication through the addition of chatbots that process simple requests and frequently asked questions and ensure 24/7 engagement.

Measuring the impact

One of the most significant advantages of RCS for businesses is its measurability. RCS allows organisations to measure the impact of their campaigns, thus enabling them to make informed decisions.

However, businesses still face some common challenges when implementing RCS. Since RCS is relatively new, especially in the African region, there is some technical complexity that comes with the implementation of the platform.

These challenges can be mitigated by choosing the right communication platform vendor to assist the organisation to transition to RCS.

Another challenge is that RCS is currently only compatible with Android devices, but concerted efforts are being made by various parties and stakeholders to extend its interoperability to iOS devices.

Despite these challenges, the future of RCS as a communication channel for businesses looks bright. As the messaging channel gains more traction, we expect to see many different and unique use cases developing for different business lines and different customer segments.

Soon, we can expect to see more businesses leveraging RCS to interact with their customers, resulting in a boom for personalised marketing.