Google makes end-to-end encryption for Messages widely available

Google has made end-to-end encryption in Google Messages available to all users who use rcs messages. The encryption will be available to all Android users this summer and is now rolling out incrementally to Messages users.

End-to-end encryption was already available to beta users of the Messages app when sending messages through Rich Communication Services, or rcs. In Google Messages this is called ‘Chat’. That feature is now available to all users. They have to enable ‘chat features’ themselves in the settings, otherwise messages will be sent via SMS instead of RCS, and SMS is not encrypted. End-to-end encryption only works if both users have it enabled.

Users will see a lock next to the message icon in their chat app, just like Signal does, for example. That way they know that a message is sent encrypted. It may take several days for users to get this option , according to XDA . Google itself brings it as a new feature for Android towards the summer. End-to-end encryption doesn’t work in group conversations, Google writes .

Google Messages gets a number of other new features. For example , messages can be starred to make them easier to save. Also, Google is adding new emojis and contextual emoji suggestions to Emoji Kitchen.