Apple has officially released iOS 18, introducing RCS support and enhancing the messaging experience between iPhone and Android users.
RCS (Rich Communications Services) is an advanced version of SMS/MMS that offers features like typing indicators, read receipts, higher resolution media, and the ability to message over Wi-Fi and mobile data. Although there is no end-to-end encryption (E2EE) yet, efforts are ongoing between Android and iOS platforms.
According to Apple’s press release, the Messages app now supports RCS for messaging contacts who do not have an Apple device, providing richer media and improved group messaging functionality compared to SMS and MMS.
With the update to iOS 18, iPhone users will have the RCS Messaging toggle enabled by default in Settings, allowing conversations to automatically transition from SMS to RCS.
In Google Messages, Android users will notice the “RCS message” label in the compose field when chatting with iPhone users on iOS 18. The absence of a lock icon indicates the lack of cross-platform end-to-end encryption.
Google has expressed anticipation for Apple to introduce features like media reactions and direct message replies in group chats to further enhance the messaging experience.
Major carriers in the US, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, support RCS, but Apple has yet to enable it for smaller MVNOs.
While iOS updates are typically quickly adopted by iPhone users, Android users have a compelling reason this year to encourage their contacts to upgrade.
