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

[scorpio vega]

They are the same. If you against collecting data and all in for protecting privacy, then you shouldn't use both. Otherwise, you are hypocritical.

I despise my current government officials but one is less problematic than the other.

For me, meta is less of an issue for me. I actually voluntarily use their platform and have since 2008.

Google I am forced to use if I want to use YouTube. The fact I have to be forced to use a gmail account and have that on my phone bothers me but I have no other options.

Idk why it’s so difficult for you to understand that I acknowledge the pros and cons of both and for me google is more of a threat than meta.

 

[scorpio vega]

I am sure mot people don't want different IM on their app, it wasn't buy most people's choice. There is reason why Google is default search engine, IE was the most used browser for longest time until Chrome.

Are you really comparing IE dominance in the 90s and early 2000s to tech today?

The key difference, Microsoft was dominant everywhere and that there were far too little choices then.

Clearly in 2024 we have various platforms for desktop and mobile. Various browsers. Various forks of browsers. Email providers.

So that is nowhere the same concept.

There was a time when android and other platform tried the unified messaging experience. I remember that was a selling point of windows phone. And blackberry. And palm webos.

Nowadays because we use different messaging apps for different reasons people like to keep their communications seperate.

I’ve been doing this since 2005 with my sidekick. Windows phone. Webos. Blackberry. Android. Now iOS. I even was one of the 40 ppl who brought a kin (the phone before windows phone that Microsoft literally shelved after two months?

I spent a decade selling tech to the average consumer.

I can safely speak that nowadays most ppl don’t mind multiple apps because our needs changed

 

[scorpio vega]

Right? I received a high-resolution picture from an Android phone, that alone makes it worth it. I turn off read receipts and can live without most of the tapback features but sending big files, high resolution photos and videos native in the messaging app is sweet.

It flipped back and forth a couple times from SMS to RCS which seems to be a known bug at this time in the beta. It’ll only get better as it moves through the beta to the final release. It’s a new protocol for Apple so it might take until an 18.x release to be as stable and reliable as it is Android to Android, but I’d say they have a great start.

You mean the same google RCS that google is now patching to allow you to send fully uncompressed files? I thought RCS was the be all end all.

This is from an android focused website by the way

Google Messages is fixing this glaring RCS issue (APK teardown)

Just weeks after we complained about how over-compressed Google Messages RCS images are, it looks like a fix is already in the works.

www.androidauthority.com

That is pitiful. I’ve been able to send high quality files with iMessages for decades.

So let’s ignore the beta status @Aoligei

Google has been handicapping its own messaging standard (this appears only for google messages and not the many RCS types on android) and is finally fixing this?

Google messages which is the default messaging app.

So it has nothing to do with iOS beta lol. Google has been using RCS for years and they can’t even create a product that is good as the hype up.

I mean this is the same company who had hangouts. Google plus. Wave. Destroyed google voice. Google allo lol. But this is the standard yall champion for. And they handicap yet again their own platform.

 

[DakotaGuy]

You mean the same google RCS that google is now patching to allow you to send fully uncompressed files? I thought RCS was the be all end all.

This is from an android focused website by the way

Google Messages is fixing this glaring RCS issue (APK teardown)

Just weeks after we complained about how over-compressed Google Messages RCS images are, it looks like a fix is already in the works.

www.androidauthority.com

That is pitiful. I’ve been able to send high quality files with iMessages for decades.

So let’s ignore the beta status @Aoligei

Google has been handicapping its own messaging standard (this appears only for google messages and not the many RCS types on android) and is finally fixing this?

Google messages which is the default messaging app.

So it has nothing to do with iOS beta lol. Google has been using RCS for years and they can’t even create a product that is good as the hype up.

I mean this is the same company who had hangouts. Google plus. Wave. Destroyed google voice. Google allo lol. But this is the standard yall champion for. And they handicap yet again their own platform.

Your obsession with RCS is crazy. It’s like you think Apple will read your posts and change their mind now after introducing it. It makes you furious deep down people are using and enjoying the benefits of RCS over SMS. If you’re losing sleep over it I’d tell you to focus on your health. RCS is a done deal and millions of iPhone users will be sending messages with it each day to Android phones and vice versa. Yes we championed for this platform so it’s been a big win for those of us who wanted it.

You already turned it off and stated you will NEVER use it so why do you care? Forget about it and you’ll be happier instead of stressing about other people using it. I never think about things I’ll never use let alone be obsessed by them.

 

[scorpio vega]

Your obsession with RCS is crazy. It’s like you think Apple will read your posts and change their mind now after introducing it. It makes you furious deep down people are using and enjoying the benefits of RCS over SMS. If you’re losing sleep over it I’d tell you to focus on your health. RCS is a done deal and millions of iPhone users will be sending messages with it each day to Android phones and vice versa. Yes we championed for this platform so it’s been a big win for those of us who wanted it.

You already turned it off and stated you will NEVER use it so why do you care? Forget about it and you’ll be happier instead of stressing about other people using it. I never think about things I’ll never use let alone be obsessed by them.

It bothers you guys I don’t praise it or android lol.

Notice how I actually provide opinions FROM ANDROID FANS and you conveniently ignore it lol.

Y’all are blaming the beta. That would be fine if these issues didn’t exist on android.

I can’t imagine being this bothered that someone dislikes RCS. I personally don’t think about RCS or who is using it. I turned it back off I’m suggesting my circle do the same.

It does seem to rile ppl up here that I’m not pro RCS or google. Oh well.

 

[Aoligei]

It bothers you guys I don’t praise it or android lol.

Notice how I actually provide opinions FROM ANDROID FANS and you conveniently ignore it lol.

I think your hatred towards RCS and Android is pretty well know here. Yet you are constantly expressing your hate towards RCS regardless. It seems RCS on iOS is really bothering you.

In other hand, iMessage is the one I turned off immediately after setup new iPhone. I am glad RCS is working and I can finally get ride of WhatsApp.

Y’all are blaming the beta. That would be fine if these issues didn’t exist on android.

I can’t imagine being this bothered that someone dislikes RCS. I personally don’t think about RCS or who is using it. I turned it back off I’m suggesting my circle do the same.

It does seem to rile ppl up here that I’m not pro RCS or google. Oh well.

It is beta problem. iOS is very much aggressive on switching between RCS and SMS, which is way less frequent on Google Messages (so far I only saw two instants on Google message, whereas on iOS is daily occurrence).

I can safely speak that nowadays most ppl don’t mind multiple apps because our needs changed

I am pretty sure, given choice, most people will use one instead of juggling between different IM apps.

You seriously think people wants to ask which IM apps that other side use and need to download an app just to talk to that person? You seriously think people like the idea that need to think about which person use which IM apps?

That is pitiful. I’ve been able to send high quality files with iMessages for decades.

I was able to send files and images with BBM before, long before iMessage was ever a thing.

iMessage, its sole purpose is to lock users into Apple's walled gardened. Of course, Apple wants to make messaging experience between Android and iOS as bad as it can.

 

[lartola]

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 🤦‍♂️

Not as bad as SMS. Besides, it will be a requirement at some point since RCS intends to replace sms so apple really had no choice.

 

[scorpio vega]

It is beta problem. iOS is very much aggressive on switching between RCS and SMS, which is way less frequent on Google Messages (so far I only saw two instants on Google message, whereas on iOS is daily occurrence).

It’s not a beta issue if the same issues exist presently in android.

Y’all will do whatever to try and defend RCS.

I can’t imagine getting an iPhone and literally handicapping my phone by turning off iMessage. lol just get an android.

iMessage, its sole purpose is to lock users into Apple's walled gardened. Of course, Apple wants to make messaging experience between Android and iOS as bad as it can.

There is no walled garden. That’s some ridiculous rhetoric that android fans created. Much like the green bubbles stigma.

If I wanted to leave apple I am free to do so very easily.

I won’t because android is an inferior product and terrible looking hardware.

You seriously think people wants to ask which IM apps that other side use and need to download an app just to talk to that person? You seriously think people like the idea that need to think about which person use which IM apps?

Me in my social circle:

Add me on snap.
What’s your name on Fb?
What’s your Ig?

These are all popular platforms that most ppl have at least one of. It’s not like I’m using some obscure app like kakao talk of kik because that is not a mainstream app in the states.

So yes most ppl will add you to whatever platform they use.

I gave my number to someone today and lo and behold they had WhatsApp.

Again this is not 2004.

Not as bad as SMS. Besides, it will be a requirement at some point since RCS intends to replace sms so apple really had no choice.

RCS is not going to replace anytime in the next 10-15 years. If that.

SMS will exist as a fallback because if I have no data whatsoever then that literally disabled my entire phone.

The only ppl having issues with sms are a very vocal android based iPhone users lol.

The rest of us are fine with sms and have been.

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 🤦‍♂️

Smart Choice.
(Let me guess you got suspended for disparaging android/rcs?)

 

[scorpio vega]

It seems RCS on iOS is really bothering you.

Nope. I’m glad that apple still made it very easy to tell someone is using rcs by keeping them green so I can know and choose not to talk to them.

I also can turn it off at anytime I want.

So I’m happy in that sense. I am using my platform to discourage ppl from it because I certainly would never want it to become the standard in iOS.

And with how convoluted it is, I can see most iPhones user disabling it since most androids users disable it on their phones because it’s unreliable. Or google is handicapping its own messaging app lmao.

Go see Reddit.

 

[DakotaGuy]

It bothers you guys I don’t praise it or android lol.

Notice how I actually provide opinions FROM ANDROID FANS and you conveniently ignore it lol.

Y’all are blaming the beta. That would be fine if these issues didn’t exist on android.

I can’t imagine being this bothered that someone dislikes RCS. I personally don’t think about RCS or who is using it. I turned it back off I’m suggesting my circle do the same.

It does seem to rile ppl up here that I’m not pro RCS or google. Oh well.

I'm done with discussing this with you after this message since you do not use RCS nor will ever use it. There is no point. I have been using RCS to send messages to a friend on an iPhone on AT&T and I'm on a Verizon S22 Ultra and other than a couple of snags the first day it's been working pretty darn good for a BETA version. Yes, beta software is full of bugs. You're the only one that thinks beta is perfect.

You are absolutely bothered people are using it because you keep discussing it. You've been obsessing over this since it was first announced last November. I know this because I've seen your hundreds of replies about it. Nobody and especially Apple cares that you hate it.

Last, you claiming that it's not totally reliable between two Android phones using Google Messages is a made up lie. I've been using it for years and unless there is an issue with data it's very reliable. Once Apple fixes the bugs with the beta I expect it to be just as reliable as current RCS between iPhones and iMessage between Apple phones. Neither are 100% reliable, but they are very close. If they were 100% reliable SMS wouldn't be included as a fall back. It is because RCS and iMessage require a data connection and sometimes that can be an issue.

Anyhow I will never reply to your posts about this again. I can't debate someone who has some emotional agenda tied to an inanimate object.

 

[scorpio vega]

I'm done with discussing this with you after this message since you do not use RCS nor will ever use it.

Literally used android the last 14 years. Meaning I’ve literally used all of googles poor messaging attempts. Currently own two high end android devices plus an iphone….and somehow I’ve never used RCS.

Lmao okay.

You're the only one that thinks beta is perfect.

Never said it was actually.

You are absolutely bothered people are using it because you keep discussing it.

No you seem bothered by me criticizing it. You don’t need to tell me you’re responding one last time and then proceed to type paragraphs.

Last, you claiming that it's not totally reliable between two Android phones using Google Messages is a made up lie

So the fact I literally linked an android fan site whose job is lirerallg
To report on this and can even link directly to android users that makes me a liar now?

Make it make sense.

Once Apple fixes the bugs with the beta I expect it to be just as reliable as current RCS between iPhones and iMessage between Apple phones

I’m glad you’re optimistic.

If they were 100% reliable SMS wouldn't be included as a fall back

And yet iMessage has proven reliable for me. More than RCS on my android.

 

[lartola]

RCS is not going to replace anytime in the next 10-15 years. If that.

SMS will exist as a fallback because if I have no data whatsoever then that literally disabled my entire phone.

The only ppl having issues with sms are a very vocal android based iPhone users lol.

The rest of us are fine with sms and have been.

I hope by ‘the rest of US’ you mean the rest of the Americans. Only americans are fine with SMS. People in the rest of the world aren’t ok with sms anymore and have pretty much stopped using it since at least a decade ago even though carriers still offer it everywhere. The US is ages behind.

 

[scorpio vega]

I hope by ‘the rest of US’ you mean the rest of the Americans. Only americans are fine with SMS. People in the rest of the world aren’t ok with sms anymore and have pretty much stopped using it since at least a decade ago even though carriers still offer it everywhere. The US is ages behind.

Yes so y’all literally keep repeating daily.

 

[TimFL1]

For what it‘s worth it: RCS is almost 100% reliable for me except for the odd ones out:
- Crap data connection downgrades your conversation to SMS
- Wireless CarPlay seems to completely brick RCS until you disconnect from the car (even with full 5G high speed available).

Disclaimer: I have yet to test group chats since WhatsApp is king over here.

 

[Aoligei]

For what it‘s worth it: RCS is almost 100% reliable for me except for the odd ones out:
- Crap data connection downgrades your conversation to SMS
- Wireless CarPlay seems to completely brick RCS until you disconnect from the car (even with full 5G high speed available).

Disclaimer: I have yet to test group chats since WhatsApp is king over here.

I have group family chat with 2 Pixel 7a, default Google messages, 1 iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro running iOS 18. RCS messages works well. I can send messages, photos, voice messages, gifs etc. reaction works on text, but not pictures or videos. Sometimes, messages shows up on iPhone a little bit slower than Google Messages.

As soon as an iPhone with iOS 17 added into group chat, it goes to SMS.

 

[TimFL1]

I have group family chat with 2 Pixel 7a, default Google messages, 1 iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro running iOS 18. RCS messages works well. I can send messages, photos, voice messages, gifs etc. reaction works on text, but not pictures or videos. Sometimes, messages shows up on iPhone a little bit slower than Google Messages.

As soon as an iPhone with iOS 17 added into group chat, it goes to SMS.

Oh at last someone with RCS group chats!

Mind answering a few questions?
- When you add a non-RCS contact, does it go to MMS right away or does it prompt you and tell you, it‘ll start a new group chat with MMS?
- What happens when iOS decides you‘re no longer RCS enabled (e.g. bad data connection), does it downgrade your texts to SMS/MMS or stay as RCS and refuse to send (preferred behavior)? I could see loads of accidental charges if it just flops over to SMS/MMS
- I assume anyone offline gets the messages when they‘re back and connected to RCS?
- Can anyone add users to the chat or only the creator?
- Any pointers at the size limit for groups (probably not)? The spec defines 100 as the shared limit, iMessage has 32 so I‘m curious to know whether they upgraded iMessage to 100 or just lock RCS to 32.

As for reactions coming through as texts, that is what happens for every reaction. They only show as proper reaction bubbles for texts cause Apple added that a few years ago for SMS, where they take the raw text message and try to append the emoji on the corresponding text instead of showing the actual message. Can‘t do that with media content (maybe if it‘s the first image sent and there is only one to append to).

 

[Aoligei]

Oh at last someone with RCS group chats!

Mind answering a few questions?
- When you add a non-RCS contact, does it go to MMS right away or does it prompt you and tell you, it‘ll start a new group chat with MMS?

First, I don’t want add non-RCS contact into existing group chat. But I created a new group with both RCS contact and non-RCS contact (ie iOS 17). Group chat will be all under SMS and MMS. No option for RCS.

Strangely, message will not send or failed to send if group message is created under iOS 18. I have to initiate group chat under iOS 17.

- What happens when iOS decides you‘re no longer RCS enabled (e.g. bad data connection), does it downgrade your texts to SMS/MMS or stay as RCS and refuse to send (preferred behavior)? I could see loads of accidental charges if it just flops over to SMS/MMS

I have instant where message will not send no matter what. Long press to send as text message, iOS 18 created a duplicated group.

Your best bet to turn on Airplane mode, then establish connection again. In this case, RCS will get enabled again.

- I assume anyone offline gets the messages when they‘re back and connected to RCS?

I don’t know about this case.

- Can anyone add users to the chat or only the creator?

Yes, you can.

- Any pointers at the size limit for groups (probably not)? The spec defines 100 as the shared limit, iMessage has 32 so I‘m curious to know whether they upgraded iMessage to 100 or just lock RCS to 32.

I don’t have that many friend or family member to test… lol

As for reactions coming through as texts, that is what happens for every reaction. They only show as proper reaction bubbles for texts cause Apple added that a few years ago for SMS, where they take the raw text message and try to append the emoji on the corresponding text instead of showing the actual message. Can‘t do that with media content (maybe if it‘s the first image sent and there is only one to append to).

Reaction on text will work. Reaction on video/picture will be “xxx hearted this picture”

 

[Aoligei]

It’s not a beta issue if the same issues exist presently in android.

Y’all will do whatever to try and defend RCS.

I can’t imagine getting an iPhone and literally handicapping my phone by turning off iMessage. lol just get an android.

It is preciously Beta issue.

The RCS experience can vary significantly between iPhones. For instance, I have two identical iPhone 12 Pro Max devices, both running iOS 18 beta 4. One of them provides a seamless RCS experience, while the other frequently switches between RCS and SMS, occasionally creating duplicate chats on Android. This issue often necessitates removing the problematic iPhone from the group.

In a span of 2 minutes?

 

[SMH4KIDIOT]

E2EE is coming next as part of the standard and it looks like they'll be using the MLS protocol as basis for cross platform E2EE. Hopefully Apple will update to UP 2.7 because that pretty much has parity in terms of features with iMessage.

While this is a major milestone, it is just the beginning. The next major milestone is for the RCS Universal Profile to add important user protections such as interoperable end-to-end encryption. This will be the first deployment of standardized, interoperable messaging encryption between different computing platforms, addressing significant technical challenges such as key federation and cryptographically-enforced group membership. Additionally, users will benefit from stronger protections from scam, fraud, and other security threats.

RCS Now in iOS: a New Chapter for Mobile Messaging

Tom Van Pelt, Technical Director, GSMA Today, we are celebrating a significant milestone in the evolution of messaging with the launch of Rich Communication Services (RCS) support on iPhone with the release of iOS 18. This launch is the culmination of years of collaboration across mobile...

www.gsma.com

The world did not explode now that iPhone have RCS.

 

[Aoligei]

E2EE is coming next as part of the standard and it looks like they'll be using the MLS protocol as basis for cross platform E2EE. Hopefully Apple will update to UP 2.7 because that pretty much has parity in terms of features with iMessage.

RCS Now in iOS: a New Chapter for Mobile Messaging

Tom Van Pelt, Technical Director, GSMA Today, we are celebrating a significant milestone in the evolution of messaging with the launch of Rich Communication Services (RCS) support on iPhone with the release of iOS 18. This launch is the culmination of years of collaboration across mobile...

www.gsma.com

The world did not explode now that iPhone have RCS.

I doubt they would. It is Apple, they want prioritize iMessage first.

Apple only did RCS to make regulatory bodies happy. They would put minimum efforts for RCS.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Somewhat hilariously, Google Fi does not support RCS on iPhone. Likely due to Google not setting up a carrier bundle with Apple.

 

[SMH4KIDIOT]

Somewhat hilariously, Google Fi does not support RCS on iPhone. Likely due to Google not setting up a carrier bundle with Apple.

According to Google, they have. Apple hasn't implemented it.

 

[ProbablyDylan]

According to Google, they have. Apple hasn't implemented it.

That's the kicker though, isn't it? The process of how carrier info and APNs are disseminated to iOS devices is entirely opaque to the consumer - has Google actually set up their Carrier bundle? Is Apple sitting on it out of spite, laziness, both or neither? It's impossible to tell.

Hopefully, they're being truthful. Though I could see it being half-true, "We're set up on our side but don't want to talk to Tim to let him know"