RCS Messaging in iOS 18: What iPhone Users Need to Know

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is a messaging standard that Apple is adopting in iOS 18 that will revolutionize the messaging experience between iPhone and Android devices. Think of it as SMS 2.0, a major upgrade to the traditional text messaging we’ve been using for years.

Main features of RCS

Apple’s decision to adopt RCS came last year, after persistent persuasion from Google, which advocated for the adoption of RCS worldwide, and for good reason. Compared to MMS and SMS, the standards Apple uses for text messages, RCS offers the following advantages:

• Better quality photos and videos
• Larger file sizes for attachments
• Audio messages
• Improved group chats
• Read acknowledgements and typing indicators
• Better encryption for conversations between iPhone and Android users
• Cross-platform emoji reactions
• Location sharing in discussion threads
• Works on both cellular and Wi-Fi networks

RCS vs. iMessage: Bridging the Gap

While RCS offers many of the features that iPhone users have long enjoyed with iMessage, it’s important to understand the differences between these two messaging protocols. The most significant advantage of RCS is its ability to work across different smartphone platforms.

Unlike iMessage, which is exclusive to Apple devices and creates the infamous “green bubble” effect when iPhone users text Android users, RCS aims to eliminate that disparity, creating a more unified messaging experience regardless of device type. That said, RCS messages will still appear as green bubbles in Apple’s Messages app, but they will be accompanied by the “SMS – RCS” label in the conversation thread to identify them.

In terms of features, RCS brings many of the features iPhone users have come to expect from iMessage to cross-platform conversations. High-quality media sharing, delivery receipts, and typing indicators—all core elements of the iMessage experience—will now be available when texting Android users via RCS. This marks a significant improvement to the cross-platform messaging experience.

When it comes to security, iMessage still stands out. It offers end-to-end encryption for all communications between Apple devices. RCS, while offering improved encryption over traditional SMS, doesn’t quite reach the same level of security as iMessage. However, it’s a significant step up from the unencrypted SMS messages that have been the standard for cross-platform SMS.

Another area where iMessage maintains an advantage is its out-of-the-box availability across all Apple devices. RCS, on the other hand, relies on carrier support and implementation on both ends of the conversation. This means that while RCS promises a more unified messaging experience, its availability may not be as universal as iMessage’s within the Apple ecosystem, at least initially.

Despite these differences, Apple’s adoption of RCS represents a major step toward bridging the gap between iMessage and Android messaging. While it doesn’t completely eliminate the distinctions, it does significantly reduce them, promising a richer and more consistent messaging experience for all users, regardless of their smartphone choice. In summary, here’s a look at what users can expect when messaging between iPhones and Android devices:

• Improved media sharing:No more tiny, pixelated photos and videos when sharing media files with your Android friends. RCS allows for higher resolution and larger file sizes.
• Enhanced messaging features:iPhone users will be able to see when Android users are typing, know when messages are read, and use emoji reactions in cross-platform conversations.
• Better group discussions:Group conversations that include iPhone and Android users will be more consistent, with features like group chat naming and adding/removing participants working seamlessly across platforms.
• Wi-Fi Messaging:Like iMessage, RCS can work over Wi-Fi, allowing messages to be sent even without cellular service.
• Transparent backtracking:If RCS is not available for any reason, the system will automatically fall back to SMS/MMS, ensuring that messages still arrive.

When will iPhone users get RCS?

Apple plans to introduce RCS support with iOS 18, which is expected to be generally released in the fall. However, all features will depend on carrier support. The good news is that major US carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T already support RCS.

If you have installed the third beta of iOS 18 and are using one of the carriers above, you can test RCS Messaging support now by turning on the RCS Messaging switch in Settings ➝ Apps ➝ Messages ➝ RCS Messaging. iOS 18 beta 3 is also rolling out RCS support to carriers in some other countries, such as Bell in Canada, Telefonica in Spain, and O2 in Germany.

The Future of RCS

Apple isn’t just implementing RCS. The company plans to work with Google and other members of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) to further improve the RCS standard around the world. This collaboration should lead to even more advanced features, such as the ability to edit and delete sent RCS messages.