Apple has finally added support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) to the Messages app. The feature arrived as part of the second iOS 18 developer beta earlier this week.
RCS is a messaging protocol that uses the internet to let you send and receive high-quality files and images, see typing marks, get 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 — you could only share media, get read receipts, and use other features with other Apple device users through iMessage. With this update, iPhone users can start sending messages and sharing files with anyone using an RCS-enabled device, which includes most Android phones.
However, messages from Android devices will still appear as green bubbles in iMessage.
Currently, support for RCS appears to be limited to US carriers such as T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon. While users can see the switch if they have the iOS 18 developer beta installed, the feature will only work if their carrier supports RCS and has updated their network plan for iOS 18. We’ll update this story when learn that the protocol is supported in other regions.
Apple briefly hinted that iOS 18 would get RCS support during its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) keynote earlier this month.
“When messaging contacts who don’t have an Apple device, the Messages app now supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging compared to SMS and MMS,” Apple said. press release detailing iOS 18.
iPhone and Android users have been asking Apple to support RCS for years, as it makes it easier to send messages and share things with people regardless of the device they’re using. Google has also been pushing Apple to break the blue and green bubble gap for years.
The developer beta also brought the ability to mirror iPhone to Mac screens.
