Apple still working on it, but not update given
Updated: Mar 11, 2026 12:16 pm
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The latest public beta of iOS 26.4 is here. iOS 26.4 beta 4, to give it its full name, arrived March 9, allowing users access to the version already available to devs. However, among the noted new features, one was missing. And it’s not clear when we’ll see it.
iOS 26.4 beta – key features
iOS 26.4 features several key changes, kicking off with new emoji characters. Testers can now use the trombone, treasure chest, distorted face, hairy creature, fight cloud, orca, and landslide emojis. For accessibility, the “Reduce Highlighting Effects” setting has been updated to “Reduce Bright Effects”.
Further, across the final iOS 26.4 release, users will notice plenty of changes. These will include an updated Apple Music and Apple Podcasts, more useful widgets, and the Stolen Device Protection feature being enabled by default. Unfortunately, one security element looks like it will be a miss.
iOS 26.4 beta lacks RCS encryption
The new iOS beta test appears to lack RCS encryption, which was to be tested, according to MacRumors. Although the feature was never intended to arrive with the full release of iOS 26.4, it was tested from the first iOS 26.4 beta until Apple pulled it for this beta 4. Speaking about the RCS testing, Apple previously stated:
“In this beta [beta 2], RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases.
iOS RCS E2EE arrival unknown
The removal doesn’t affect iMessage encryption for iPhone-to-iPhone messaging. However, iPhones lack iPhone-to-Android or Android-to-iPhone E2EE (end-to-end encryption) for text messages. With RCS testing removed from iOS 26.4 beta 4, the impact on a future iPhone rollout is unknown. However, E2EE is a security feature already available for Android devices in Android-to-Android text messages.
