Apple has finally added Rich Communication Services (RCS) support to its Messages app. The feature was released as part of iOS 18's second developer beta earlier this week.
RCS is a messaging protocol that lets you use the Internet to send and receive files and high-quality images, see typing indicators, receive read receipts, start group chats, and more. Until now, iPhone users could only send SMS or MMS messages from the Messages app to people who didn't have an Apple device. This meant you could only share media, receive read receipts, and use other features via iMessage with other Apple device users. The update allows iPhone users to text and share files with anyone with a device that supports RCS, which includes most Android phones.
However, messages sent from Android devices still appear as green bubbles in iMessage.
Support for RCS currently appears to be limited to US carriers such as T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. If users have installed the iOS 18 developer beta, they will see the toggle, but this feature will only work if their carrier supports RCS and has updated their network bundle for iOS 18. We will update this story when we hear what the protocol looks like. Supported in other regions.
Apple briefly mentioned that iOS 18 would support RCS during its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) keynote earlier this month.
“When sending messages to contacts who don’t have Apple devices, the Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS,” Apple said in a press release detailing iOS 18. Yes.
Both iPhone and Android users have long been asking Apple to support RCS because it makes it easier to send and share messages with people no matter what device they use. Google has also been pressuring Apple for years to break the blue and green bubble gap.
The developer beta also introduces the ability to mirror your iPhone to your Mac display.
