Since Android 10, all new devices use file-based encryption. For older devices on an older OS, you might have optional encryption, but it isn't enabled by default.

However, between an Android device and an iPhone, there currently is no encryption. The industry is at least telling us that they are working on it.

A new Android System Key Verifier app is rolling out on Android devices. This app is a system service that lets developers store their end-to-end encryption keys and lets users verify their apps ...

At least 74 percent of Android devices can be remotely reset by Google if law enforcement requests it. Android phones running 5.0 and up have encryption.

The GSM Association promises end-to-end encryption is coming to the Rich Communication Services messaging standard, which will better protect communications between mobile devices.

It looks like end-to-end encryption (E2EE) for RCS messages on iPhones might be arriving sooner than expected. Code spotted in early iOS 26 betas suggests Apple is already testing the secure protocols ...

It is unclear when E2EE on RCS will arrive on iPhones. The GSMA said in September that it was working to enable end-to-end encryption between iPhones and Android devices.

Google is stepping up and mandating full disk encryption in Marshmallow (again). This time, we hope the feature sticks.