I despatched texts from my OnePlus Open to my girlfriend the opposite day and seen a small blue chat bubble icon subsequent to her identify within the checklist of chats. There are additionally a bunch of RCS chat labels contained in the thread, and within the message area. I made a decision to search out out what which means, and it seems the blue bubble signifies that my texts have upgraded options, although I am undecided that it is truly encrypted, but.
What the chat bubble (or blue dot) truly means
RCS, not magic
That small blue chat bubble icon or dot subsequent to a contact in your Google Messages app signifies that the dialog is utilizing Wealthy Communication Providers, or RCS, as a substitute of the older SMS or MMS. In case you’re on Samsung Messages, you will doubtless see a blue dot as a substitute of a bubble, however it all means the identical factor. RCS is the fashionable alternative for conventional texting. It really works over Wi-Fi or cell knowledge, and it helps high-resolution media, learn receipts, typing indicators, high-resolution picture and video sharing, and longer messages with out the 160-character SMS cap — a significant improve even with out encryption.
Each you and your contact have to have RCS enabled for the icon to point out up. In case your contact is on a service or system that does not help it, the bubble disappears and the convo takes place over SMS, which does not have these options. The colour might additionally comply with your system theme, so do not panic if it appears slightly totally different by yourself system.
Once you’re within the energetic RCS message thread, the textual content area reads “RCS message” as a substitute of “Textual content message,” and you may doubtless see a label like “RCS chat with [name]” on the high of the dialog. That is your affirmation that RCS is definitely operating, and never simply enabled in settings.
RCS with out encryption remains to be higher than SMS
But it surely’s not the identical as really safe
The chat bubble (or dot on Samsung) tells you RCS is energetic. That is already an improve, as you get learn receipts, typing indicators, high-resolution photographs, and no 160-character restrict. What it would not routinely imply is that your messages are end-to-end encrypted.
Android to Android, encrypted RCS has been round since 2021. Google says {that a} lock icon seems on the ship button and subsequent to message timestamps when encryption is energetic in a message thread. I do not see a lock, however I do see the RCS bubbles, so my messages are utilizing the RCS protocol; they’re simply not encrypted end-to-end. Meaning my service can technically learn them in transit (not that they doubtless care what I am saying). That is nonetheless a giant step up from SMS, the place messages journey as plain textual content by means of service infrastructure with no safety in any respect — RCS at minimal makes use of TLS (Transport Layer Safety), the identical baseline encryption that protects web sites, even when end-to-end encryption is not energetic.
Cross-platform encryption is rolling out, however not there but
Android to iPhone: RCS works, the lock remains to be coming
For a very long time, texting an iPhone person from Android meant changing into certainly one of Apple’s green-bubble SMS customers. As soon as Apple adopted RCS with iOS 18 in 2024, cross-platform chats gained learn receipts and typing indicators, however not the encryption. The bubbles have been nonetheless inexperienced, although. Boo.
The beta roll-out for end-to-end encrypted RCS chats for iPhone customers started in iOS 26.5 and customers on the newest model of Google Messages.
My testing exhibits that RCS is energetic (each on the iPhone and the Android telephone), however there is not any lock icon. Meaning the rollout hasn’t gotten to me, but. That is doubtless the place most Android customers will sit till all of it will get sorted.
If you wish to have safe conversations, a devoted app like Sign (or WhatsApp) remains to be the best choice, since encrypted RCS messages require everybody within the dialog to have a suitable service and up-to-date Google Messages (and iOS 26.5 for iPhone customers). One individual not in that loop drops the entire convo again to unencrypted.
If the lock does present up, know that it solely covers messages in transit. It will not defend in opposition to somebody with entry to your unlocked telephone, defend you from screenshots, and it will not apply to older messages despatched earlier than encryption was energetic.
Test and allow RCS in your Android
Open Google Messages, faucet in your profile icon within the top-right nook, and choose Messages Settings > RCS chats. Toggle Activate RCS chats to ON if it is not already. You is likely to be prompted to confirm your telephone quantity, however as soon as related, you will see RCS message within the textual content area of any dialog if the opposite individual has RCS enabled.
In case you do not see RCS choices in any respect, your service may not help it. All three main US carriers do as of 2026, although, so for those who’re on a smaller or pay as you go plan, examine together with your supplier.
RCS is already doing extra on your texts than SMS ever did; the encryption is simply the final piece catching up.