[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "Will%20I%20be%20able%20to%20use%20incrypted%20RCS%20messiging%20on%20the%20just%20released%20iOS%2026.5%20on%20My%20TEllo%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Here\u2019s how things currently stand on iOS 26.5, RCS messaging, and whether Tello supports end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) RCS\u2014with sources for each point:\n\n---\n\n## \u2705 What\u2019s New in iOS 26.5 with RCS Encryption\n\n- Apple has added **end-to-end encryption for RCS messages** between iPhone and Android devices in **iOS 26.5**. However, it\u2019s labeled as a **beta feature** and will only be available if your carrier also supports it. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/apple-releases-ios-26-5/?utm_source=openai))  \n- To use it, you need both of these conditions met:\n  1. Your iPhone must be on **iOS 26.5**. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/11/apple-releases-ios-26-5/?utm_source=openai))  \n  2. The carrier(s) for **both sides** of the conversation must have implemented the newer RCS specification\u2014**Universal Profile 3.0 (UP 3.0)**\u2014that includes E2EE. ([apple.gadgethacks.com](https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/ios-265-rcs-encryption-arrives-but-carriers-must-support-it/?utm_source=openai))  \n- When everything is working, you\u2019ll see a **lock icon** on the RCS chat thread in the Messages app to indicate encryption is active. ([apple.gadgethacks.com](https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/encrypted-rcs-chats-on-iphone-arrive-in-ios-265if-your-carrier-supports-it/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f The Role of Carriers (Including MVNOs Like Tello)\n\n- Even with iOS 26.5, **not all carriers** will support RCS E2EE immediately. The rollout is **phased**, and carrier network infrastructure needs to be upgraded first. ([apple.gadgethacks.com](https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/encrypted-rcs-chats-on-iphone-arrive-in-ios-265if-your-carrier-supports-it/?utm_source=openai))  \n- For MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like **Tello**, which use another carrier\u2019s (T-Mobile\u2019s) network, it\u2019s a bit more complicated:  \n  - An MVNO still needs to have the **correct carrier settings/profile** that enable the new RCS features.  \n  - If T-Mobile activates RCS UP 3.0 + E2EE on its main network and extends the relevant network settings to Tello, then Tello customers could benefit. But that depends on Tello\u2019s implementation.  \n\n---\n\n## \u2753 Does Tello Support RCS E2EE Now?\n\n- As of right now, there\u2019s **no public confirmation** that Tello supports E2EE for RCS in iOS 26.5. I checked available carrier-support lists and official updates, and Tello isn\u2019t explicitly listed among carriers that have already enabled the feature. ([cloudorian.net](https://www.cloudorian.net/ios-265-rcs-end-to-end-encryption/?utm_source=openai))  \n- Users are reporting uncertainty: some say Tello\u2019s RCS availability is limited on iPhone, even before encryption. It seems Tello hasn't given a definitive yes or no yet. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Tello/comments/1j9y6l4?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd0d What You Should Do to Check It Yourself\n\nHere\u2019s how to verify if E2EE RCS is working for you:\n\n1. **Make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 26.5.**  \n2. Go to **Settings \u2192 Apps \u2192 Messages \u2192 RCS Messaging**, and check if there's an *End-to-End Encryption (Beta)* toggle. It should be on by default if supported. ([macrumors.com](https://www.macrumors.com/2026/05/04/ios-26-5-rcs-encryption/?utm_source=openai))  \n3. Start a chat with someone using an Android device with the latest Google Messages app. If E2EE is active, the conversation thread should show a **lock icon**. ([apple.gadgethacks.com](https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/encrypted-rcs-chats-on-iphone-arrive-in-ios-265if-your-carrier-supports-it/?utm_source=openai))  \n4. If you **don\u2019t** see the lock or the toggle, that usually means either your carrier (or the other person\u2019s carrier) hasn\u2019t enabled the required RCS version yet.  \n\n---\n\n## \ud83c\udfaf Bottom Line\n\n- If you have **iOS 26.5**, you might be able to use **end-to-end encrypted RCS**\u2014but **only** if both your carrier (Tello or whoever you use) **and** the recipient\u2019s carrier support UP 3.0 with E2EE.  \n- **For Tello**, there\u2019s no current confirmation that they support all the necessary infrastructure for RCS E2EE. You\u2019ll need to check with Tello (or watch for their support/feature list updates) to be sure.\n\nIf you like, I can try to find whether Tello has officially committed to enabling this, or an updated carrier list. Do you want me to check?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "yes"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "I looked into it, and here\u2019s what I found regarding **Tello** and whether it supports end-to-end encrypted RCS now that iOS 26.5 has added that feature.\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd0d What We Know About iOS 26.5 & RCS Encryption\n\n- iOS 26.5 introduces **end-to-end encryption (E2EE)** for RCS conversations between iPhone and Android users using the Universal Profile 3.0 (UP 3.0) standard. The feature is labeled as beta and is **software-ready** on Apple\u2019s side. ([apple.gadgethacks.com](https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/ios-265-rcs-encryption-arrives-but-carriers-must-support-it/?utm_source=openai))  \n- **Carrier support** is required for the encryption to actually work in any conversation. Both the sender\u2019s and the recipient\u2019s carriers must have deployed UP 3.0 with E2EE enabled on their network infrastructure. ([apple.gadgethacks.com](https://apple.gadgethacks.com/news/ios-265-rcs-encryption-arrives-but-carriers-must-support-it/?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n## \ud83c\udff7\ufe0f What Apple Lists as Supporting Carriers\n\nApple\u2019s own support list of carriers that currently support E2EE for RCS in iOS 26.5 includes several major U.S. carriers. The current supported carriers include:  \nAT&T; Boost Mobile; C Spire; Cellcom Wisconsin; Consumer Cellular; Cox Mobile; Cricket; Family Mobile; FirstNet; Metro by T-Mobile; Mint Mobile; Nex-Tech Wireless; PureTalk; Red Pocket; Spectrum; Strata; **T-Mobile**; TracFone / Straight Talk; Ultra Mobile; US Cellular; Verizon; Visible; Xfinity Mobile. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/11/ios-26-5-these-carriers-offer-rcs-end-to-end-encrypted-messaging/?extended-comments=1&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \u26a0\ufe0f What We *Don\u2019t* Yet Confirm for Tello\n\n- **Tello is not listed** among carriers that Apple confirms support RCS E2EE in iOS 26.5. It\u2019s not on Apple\u2019s published list of US carriers that currently support it. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/11/ios-26-5-these-carriers-offer-rcs-end-to-end-encrypted-messaging/?extended-comments=1&utm_source=openai))  \n- Tello's Help Center states that *RCS Messaging is available* on iOS devices (after updating to iOS 18.4), and you can toggle **RCS Messaging** in *Settings \u2192 Apps \u2192 Messages*. It doesn\u2019t mention E2EE specifically or Universal Profile 3.0. ([tello.com](https://tello.com/help_center/features-settings/how-can-i-enable-rcs-messaging-on-my-device?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udd2e Likelihood for Tello\n\nGiven that:\n\n1. **Tello** is an MVNO that runs on **T-Mobile\u2019s network** or shares its infrastructure. ([reddit.com](https://www.reddit.com/r/Tello/comments/1ss1h05/apple_testing_rcs_encryption/?utm_source=openai))  \n2. **T-Mobile** *is* confirmed as a carrier supporting E2EE under iOS 26.5. ([9to5mac.com](https://9to5mac.com/2026/05/11/ios-26-5-these-carriers-offer-rcs-end-to-end-encrypted-messaging/?extended-comments=1&utm_source=openai))  \n3. However, being an MVNO means that even if the main carrier (T-Mobile) flips the necessary infrastructure switch, the MVNO needs to have the proper carrier bundles / settings pushed to its customers in iOS for it to work fully.  \n\nSo, while it's plausible that Tello *could* support E2EE RCS in some capacity, there\u2019s **no evidence yet** that it does.\n\n---\n\n## \ud83d\udcdd What You Can Do to Confirm\n\nTo check personally if E2EE RCS is working for you with Tello:\n\n- Update to **iOS 26.5** on your iPhone.  \n- Ensure you have the **latest version** of the Messages app (it should come with the system update).  \n- Go to *Settings \u2192 Messages \u2192 RCS Messaging*, and see if there is an option or toggle for **End-to-End Encryption (Beta)**.  \n- Send a message to someone using Android (with Google Messages updated). If the message thread shows a **lock icon** and \u201cEncrypted\u201d label, then E2EE is active.  \n\n---\n\n## \u2705 Final Answer\n\nRight now, it\u2019s **not confirmed** that **Tello supports the end-to-end encrypted RCS** feature introduced in iOS 26.5. Tello offers RCS messaging (non-encrypted versions), but:\n\n- it\u2019s **not on the list** of carriers that Apple currently identifies as supporting UP 3.0 encryption;  \n- Tello\u2019s documentation does *not mention* E2EE or Universal Profile 3.0 yet.  \n\nIf you want, I can try to check for a public statement from Tello confirming when or whether they will support UP 3.0 with E2EE."
    }
]