![\"Sad](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1768564519_321_0x0.jpg\")
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Do not let your messages leak.<\/p>\n
getty<\/p>\n
Updated on Jan. 16 with reports into Apple\u2019s new messaging change for iPhone.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s all change for text messaging. The surprise news that Apple may add fully encrypted texting<\/a> to iMessage as soon as with its next update fixes its biggest security gap. All eyes now on iOS 26.3 to see what is released and how quickly carriers enable it.<\/p>\n This is critical because U.S. federal agencies repeatedly warn<\/a> that texting without the protection of end-to-end encryption is not recommended. Apple\u2019s update \u2014 and the same from Google \u2014 will bring cross-platform, WhatsApp-like security to the stock messaging apps on Android and iPhone for the first time.<\/p>\n But even if you are using WhatsApp or Signal or another fully encrypted over-the-top messaging app as your default, those federal agencies still have advice for you. Some of this should be self-evident. But at least one recommendation may surprise you. And it rules out Apple\u2019s new update, even if the encryption issue is finally fixed.<\/p>\n ForbesHundreds Of Millions Of iPhones Must Reboot Now\u2014Are You Affected?By Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAvoid scanning group-invitation links or QR codes from unknown sources,\u201d America\u2019s cyber defense agency says. CISA\u2019s<\/a> warning will resonate now, given Iranian hackers have just been caught attacking foreign citizens using this tactic.<\/p>\n Similarly, you should \u201cremain suspicious of unexpected security alert messages,\u201d you should also check for and remove any unrecognized linked devices, and you must never share any security codes texted to your phone. <\/p>\n But CISA also says \u201cenable message expiration features to automatically delete sensitive messages after a set period.\u201d This so-called disappearing message feature is available on WhatsApp<\/a> and Signal<\/a> and Facebook Messenger<\/a>. All of which are fully encrypted. <\/p>\n There is no such option in Apple\u2019s iMessage, and while you can do this<\/a> from within Google\u2019s app, unless iMessage adds the same then it doesn\u2019t provide a full solution. <\/p>\n Disappearing messages is a controversial topic, especially within a work or regulated context. But it\u2019s now increasingly popular. If you don\u2019t use it, a record of everything you say will remain on your phone and all recipients phones \u2014 potentially forever.<\/p>\n While CISA\u2019s warning to delete sensitive messages refers specifically to the expiring or disappearing message feature in apps such as WhatsApp and Signal, there is an even more critical aspect to this that needs to change.<\/p>\n Not only does Apple not offer expiring messages within iMessage, but even the option to delete and \u201cunsend\u201d texts sent in error is very limited. As expectation widens<\/a> that Apple may now upgrade RCS, perhaps with its imminent iOS 26.3, this needs to change.<\/p>\n