Apple has started rolling out public beta 2 of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3, giving testers their first update since the holiday slowdown.
While this release does not introduce flashy new features, it does offer a clearer picture of where Apple is heading next, especially when it comes to messaging security and platform polish.
Public beta 2 follows the developer build released earlier this week and matches it exactly, meaning public testers are now running the same software Apple is actively refining internally.
RCS End to End Encryption Groundwork Appears in iOS 26.3
The most notable discovery so far lives inside the Messages app.
Code spotted in iOS 26.3 beta 2 references carrier support for end to end encryption for RCS messages, using a new internal flag labeled “SupportsE2EE.” This suggests Apple is actively preparing for encrypted RCS conversations, a feature it previously committed to after the GSMA finalized the standard.
Apple has already brought RCS to iPhone, but without encryption, it has always felt like a partial solution. This change does not enable encrypted RCS just yet, but it strongly hints that Apple is getting closer to flipping that switch in a future update.
There is still no confirmation that iOS 26.3 will be the release that enables it publicly, but the presence of the groundwork is a meaningful step forward.
iPadOS 26.3 Beta 2 Mirrors the iPhone Update
On the iPad side, iPadOS 26.3 public beta 2 is largely aligned with iOS in terms of under the hood changes.
There are no iPad exclusive features surfacing yet, which suggests this update is focused on stability, system consistency, and shared frameworks between platforms. That is typical for mid cycle releases like this, especially when Apple is preparing larger feature drops later in the year.
If RCS encryption support does arrive, it will likely benefit iPad users who rely on Messages for cross device communication, keeping conversations consistent across iPhone and iPad.
Other Changes Still Present in this Beta Cycle
Beyond messaging security, iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 continue to include changes first seen in beta 1, such as:
- A new built in option to transfer data from iPhone to Android during setup
- Updates and refinements to the wallpaper gallery
- Notification forwarding support for third party wearables in the EU
None of these features are headline grabbing on their own, but together they point to Apple smoothing rough edges and filling long standing gaps.
What this Update Tells Us
Public beta 2 of iOS 26.3 and iPadOS 26.3 is less about immediate user facing features and more about laying foundations. The RCS encryption work is especially telling, as it addresses one of the biggest remaining criticisms of Apple’s messaging strategy outside iMessage.
If you are testing this build, do not expect dramatic changes. Instead, think of it as Apple quietly preparing the ground for more visible improvements that may arrive later this year.
As always with public betas, stability may vary, but for anyone interested in where Apple’s platforms are headed next, this update offers a few important clues.
