Google has announced that the default Messages app on Android devices will receive two important improvements. Accordingly, the messaging app will support end-to-end encryption for all its users. It also announced that it has enabled RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging by default. This means that SMS and internet chat will be available together.

RCS and encryption support for Google Messages

When first setting up Google Messages, RCS messaging had to be manually enabled. With the new update, RCS will be automatically turned on for all users worldwide.

For those who don’t know, RCS supports advanced messaging features such as high-quality photo sharing, read receipts and spelling indicators. It can also be used alongside SMS in the Messages app. Enabling it by default in the app will allow more Android users to access these features in Messages.

Google also announced that end-to-end encryption will be enabled by default for chats between Messages users who enable RCS. This brings the encryption support previously available in individual chats to group conversations. End-to-end encryption prevents third parties, including Google, from accessing the content of messages.

However, Google said that some users may need to accept the operator’s terms of service before RCS is enabled, depending on the operator. Enabling RCS by default will remove the barrier to accessing advanced messaging for many Android users.

The software giant will make enabling RCS by default and extending end-to-end encryption available to all users in the coming days.