RCS Coming to Messages in iOS 18 for Improved Texts With Android Users

[MacRumors]

Apple today confirmed that it plans to implement support for Rich Communication Services, or RCS, in iOS 18 this fall. Apple software chief Craig Federighi confirmed RCS support when introducing new features for the iPhone at the WWDC keynote event.

We've known about Apple's plans to adopt RCS since last November, but Apple only gave a vague "later in 2024" timeline for adoption so it was unclear exactly when the feature might roll out. RCS replaces SMS/MMS as the default communication protocol on the iPhone.

RCS has already been adopted by Google, U.S. smartphone carriers, and other companies, so Apple is a little late to the party. It doesn't change much for iMessage, but it does overhaul the way iPhones interact with Android devices. RCS improves texting with Android users, adding support for features that have previously been limited to iMessage. Some of the additions:

• Support for higher resolution photos and videos.
• Support for larger file sizes and file sharing.
• Audio messages.
• Cross-platform emoji reactions.
• Real-time typing indicators.
• Read receipts.
• Ability to send messages over cellular or Wi-Fi (SMS is cellular only). There is no cost to send an RCS message over Wi-Fi.
• Improved group chats.

It is not clear if Apple will introduce RCS support during the iOS 18 beta testing period or hold the feature until the fall public launch of the update, but we do know that it is indeed tied to iOS 18 at this point.

Article Link: RCS Coming to Messages in iOS 18 for Improved Texts With Android Users

 

[truthsteve]

ew no thanks. I'm turning this off the moment it's introduced.

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. it's confusing as hell and locks in consumers to carriers. who thought this was a good idea? terrible protocol 🤦‍♂️

 

[Dark_Omen]

ew no thanks.

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. bad for consumers.

Doesn’t negatively effect your life at all, so why do you care?

 

[FoxBJK]

ew no thanks.

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. bad for consumers.

I'll take RCS over SMS any day!

 

[Tony_YYZ]

This is fantastic. It’s a better messaging experience for both ends of the communication.

 

[Nimrad]

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. bad for consumers.

What makes it bad for consumers over SMS which is the alternative?

 

[Mailia]

ew no thanks.

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. it's confusing as hell and locks in consumers to carriers. who thought this was a good idea? terrible protocol 🤦‍♂️

iMessage is equally terrible, so why not RCS?

 

[Nimrad]

Im wondering how the new Genmojies will work with RCS.

 

[Johnny907]

ew no thanks.

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. it's confusing as hell and locks in consumers to carriers. who thought this was a good idea? terrible protocol 🤦‍♂️

How does RCS "lock in consumers to carriers?" I have an iPhone on AT&T, my friend has an S24 on T-Mo. Where exactly is the "lock in?"

 

[rtkane]

/kidding

 

[CWallace]

wish Apple would not support this. who thought this was a good idea?

The European Union. They effectively forced Apple's hand to support it.

 

[truthsteve]

Doesn’t negatively effect your life at all, so why do you care?

yes it does. I'm going to be getting phone calls left and right asking about/troubleshooting RCS.

 

[killawat]

perfect! now iMessage will no longer be blamed for complete and utter humiliation of any teen that doesn't use an iPhone right?

right????

 

[truthsteve]

What makes it bad for consumers over SMS which is the alternative?

extreme confusion for one.

 

[truthsteve]

iMessage is equally terrible, so why not RCS?

if something is equally terrible, why would you add another equally terrible feature for people to learn?

 

[Cryates]

There’s no “learning” RCS. You turn it on and it works. Lol.

 

[killawat]

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this.

its either that or iMessage is cracked and scrambled for anyone to use, courtesy of senators and the EU.

 

[truthsteve]

How does RCS "lock in consumers to carriers?" I have an iPhone on AT&T, my friend has an S24 on T-Mo. Where exactly is the "lock in?"

you listed two examples that involves carriers. you are relying on those carriers to be able to communicate. and you're asking where is the lock in?

 

[Mailia]

if something is equally terrible, why would you add another equally terrible feature for people to learn?

Because it doesn't really shift the status quo at all. At the moment, the Messages app is confusing and introduces a lock-in mechanism. If they add RCS to the Messages app, it'll remain confusing and with lock-in.

 

[truthsteve]

its either that or iMessage is cracked and scrambled for anyone to use, courtesy of senators and the EU.

or let the free market speak and let people choose a third party service, like Telegram.

 

[robvalentine]

you listed two examples that involves carriers. you are relying on those carriers to be able to communicate. and you're asking where is the lock in?

You haven't stated where the lock in occurs, probably because the only lock in is iMessage

 

[MacClueless]

I don't even know any Android users.

 

[uecker87]

ew no thanks. I'm turning this off the moment it's introduced.

RCS is terrible. wish Apple would not support this. it's confusing as hell and locks in consumers to carriers. who thought this was a good idea? terrible protocol 🤦‍♂️

Tell me you know nothing about RCS without telling me you know nothing about RCS...

 

[truthsteve]

Because it doesn't really shift the status quo at all

if it doesn't shift the status quo at all, then why confuse users even more + adding distractions which increases costs by these companies that inevitably pass the cost onto consumers where consumers don't really benefit?

 

[diskrisk]

Downvote me all you want. I'm glad RCS bubbles remain green.